Here's an example:
* The two houses are different. ("Different" describes the houses.)
However, "different" can also be used as an adjective in a comparative form:
* This painting is different from that one. ("Different" compares the paintings.)
And "different" can also be used as a noun:
* There are many differences between the two paintings. ("Differences" is the noun form.)
So, while "different" is primarily an adjective, it can function in other ways depending on the context.