différents

Différents is the masculine plural form of the French adjective différent, meaning "different" or "various" when describing plural nouns. It is used to indicate that several items or groups are not identical or belong to distinct kinds or categories. For example: “Nous avons étudié les différents aspects de la question” (We have studied the different aspects of the question) and “Il existe différents styles de cuisine” (There are various cooking styles).

Grammar and forms: The adjective différent has four forms to agree with gender and number — différent (m singular), différente (f singular), différents (m plural), différentes (f plural). It modifies a noun and must match its gender and number. In comparisons, the phrase is typically used with de, as in “différent de” meaning “different from.”

Usage notes: Différents can convey nuance beyond mere dissimilarity, signaling a range or diversity within a category. It is closely related to synonyms such as divers, variés, and multiples, which may be preferred in certain stylistic contexts. The related noun différence refers to the notion or result of being different, rather than describing the qualities of the object.

Etymology and linguistics: Différent derives from the Latin differens, the present participle of differre, meaning to carry apart or be unlike. In Modern French, the word conveys qualitative contrast and multiplicity, rather than mere magnitude.

See also: différence, divers, diversités, variés. In usage, différent is commonly contrasted with synonyms to convey specific shades of variety or distinction.