dif·fer·en·tial / ˌdifəˈrenshəl/ chiefly technical • adj. of, showing, or depending on a difference; differing or varying according to circumstances or relevant factors: the differential achievements of boys and girls. ∎  constituting a specific difference; distinctive: the differential features between benign and malignant tumors. ∎  Math. relating to infinitesimal differences or to the derivatives of functions. ∎  of or relating to a difference in a physical quantity: a differential amplifier.• n. a difference between amounts of things: the differential between gasoline and diesel prices. ∎  Math. an infinitesimal difference between successive values of a variable. ∎  (also differential gear) a set of gears allowing a vehicle's driven wheels to revolve at different speeds when going around corners.DERIVATIVES: dif·fer·en·tial·ly adv.

differential In mathematics, small change occurring in the value of a mathematical expression due to a small change in a variable. If f(x) is a function of x, the differential of the function, written df, is given by f'(x)dx, where f'(x) is the derivative of f(x).

differential In mechanics, a set of circular gears that transmits power from an engine to the wheels. When a car is turning a corner, the differential allows the outside drive wheel to rotate faster than the inner one.