Differential/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Comparative Context Used to discuss disparities, especially in social or economic studies. The government studied the income differential between two cities. Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative Can be neutral, not implying that one thing is better or worse than the other. There's a differential in experience among the team members. Pro Tip 3/3Emphasizes Difference Stresses the aspect of difference rather than the details of what is different. Students discussed the cultural differential between their countries.