Returns a new set with items in the set that are not in other sets
Usage
The difference()
method returns a new set of items that are in the original set but not in any of the specified sets.
You can specify as many sets as you want, just separate each set with a comma.
If you want to modify the original set instead of returning a new one, use difference_update() method.
Syntax
set.difference(set1,set2…)
Parameter | Condition | Description |
set1, set2… | Optional | A comma-separated list of one or more sets to find differences in |
Basic Example
# Compute the difference between two sets
A = {'red', 'green', 'blue'}
B = {'yellow', 'red', 'orange'}
print(A.difference(B))
# Prints {'blue', 'green'}

Equivalent Operator –
Set difference can be performed with the -
operator as well.
A = {'red', 'green', 'blue'}
B = {'yellow', 'red', 'orange'}
# by method
print(A.difference(B))
# Prints {'blue', 'green'}
# by operator
print(A - B)
# Prints {'blue', 'green'}
Difference between Multiple Sets
Multiple sets can be specified with either the operator or the method.
A = {'red', 'green', 'blue'}
B = {'yellow', 'orange', 'red'}
C = {'blue', 'red', 'black'}
# by method
print(A.difference(B,C))
# Prints {'green'}
# by operator
print(A - B - C)
# Prints {'green'}