discrepancy

[ dih-skrep-uhn-see ]
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noun,plural dis·crep·an·cies for 2.
  1. the state or quality of being discrepant or in disagreement, as by displaying an unexpected or unacceptable difference; inconsistency: The discrepancy between the evidence and his account of what happened led to his arrest.

  2. an instance of difference or inconsistency: There are certain discrepancies between the two versions of the story.

Origin of discrepancy

1
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin discrepantia, from discrepant- (stem of discrepāns “sounding discordant”; see discrepant) + -ia -y3
  • Also dis·crep·ance .

synonym study For discrepancy

1. See difference.

Other words for discrepancy

Words Nearby discrepancy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use discrepancy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for discrepancy

discrepancy

/ (dɪˈskrɛpənsɪ) /


nounplural -cies
  1. a conflict or variation, as between facts, figures, or claims

usage For discrepancy

Discrepancy is sometimes wrongly used where disparity is meant. A discrepancy exists between things which ought to be the same; it can be small but is usually significant. A disparity is a large difference between measurable things such as age, rank, or wages

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