If there is a discrepancybetween two things that ought to be the same, there is a noticeable difference between them.
...the discrepancy between press and radio reports. [+ between]
...major discrepancies in payments made to claimants in similar circumstances.
[Also + in]
Synonyms: disagreement, difference, variation, conflict More Synonyms of discrepancy
discrepancy in British English
(dɪˈskrɛpənsɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-cies
a conflict or variation, as between facts, figures, or claims
▶ USAGE 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 usuallysignificant. A disparity is a large difference between measurable things such as age, rank, or wages
discrepancy in American English
(dɪˈskrɛpənsi)
nounWord forms: pluraldisˈcrepancies
lack of agreement, or an instance of this; difference; inconsistency
Word origin
ME discrepauns < OFr discrepance < L discrepantia < discrepans, prp. of discrepare, to sound differently < dis-, from + crepare, to rattle: see craven
COBUILD Collocations
discrepancy
apparent discrepancy
Examples of 'discrepancy' in a sentence
discrepancy
A federal investigation showed huge discrepancies between names on the list and the existence of valid social security numbers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Very recently in a business of mine we noticed cash discrepancies, and conducted an unannounced check at the branch concerned.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It is one way of addressing the huge discrepancies you can get.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The photographer has noticed an amusing discrepancy between his glorious appearance and its inglorious origins.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That will end a couple of big discrepancies which currently exist.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What explains this discrepancy in belief and action?
Christianity Today (2000)
The discrepancy is also apparent when comparing data by genders.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
That probably accounts for the discrepancy between the two systems.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Similar discrepancies held true when comparing gender mortality data of these groups.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
But many of the clothes they endorse have huge pricing discrepancies.
The Sun (2016)
But officials noticed a discrepancy between her spending and the amount she was claiming.
The Sun (2006)
Some of the biggest price discrepancies in cash terms were on electrical goods.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Experts are now calling on shoppers to make store bosses explain the discrepancy.
The Sun (2015)
It was also not ideal to have a discrepancy between the two tracks.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Italian officials are looking at a similar discrepancy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At least some of the discrepancy can be explained by this factor.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But there is a discrepancy between the two very different kinds of evidence available.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
In comparing different voices and different accounts, he naturally finds many discrepancies.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
With all four principals lined up together, strange size discrepancies became apparent.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is a huge discrepancy here, there is hypocrisy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
At some point, some regulator or other will notice the discrepancy and want to intervene.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The discrepancy became apparent at a media screening two days before the film's public release.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Huge discrepancies over ten years have been found in the unit's books.
The Sun (2006)
The bigger the discrepancy, the harder we must laugh.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
EA found similar discrepancies in many individual models.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I recently noticed some financial discrepancies and discovered my signature had been forged on documents.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
discrepancy
British English: discrepancy NOUN
If there is a discrepancy between two things that ought to be the same, there is a noticeable difference between them.
...the discrepancy between press and radio reports.