discrepancy
What does "discrepancy" mean?
A discrepancy is a lack of consistency or agreement between two or more facts, figures, or claims that should ideally match. Imagine looking at two different spreadsheets tracking the same budget; if the totals don't align, that gap between the two versions is your discrepancy. It implies that something is "off" or mismatched, often suggesting an error or a hidden truth waiting to be uncovered. You will most often hear this word in professional, academic, or investigative contexts, such as accounting, legal disputes, or scientific research. It is a precise way to describe an inconsistency without immediately labeling it as a lie or a mistake. Common collocations include "account for a discrepancy," "a minor discrepancy," or "a significant discrepancy."
"discrepancy" in conversation
Accounting audit
I’ve been reviewing the quarterly reports all morning.
I’ve been reviewing the quarterly reports all morning.
Did you find anything?
Did you find anything?
There’s a discrepancy of about five hundred dollars between the invoice and the payment record.
There’s a discrepancy of about five hundred dollars between the invoice and the payment record.
Used to highlight a specific numerical mismatch in a business setting.
Comparing witness accounts
You said you were at the movies at eight, but the CCTV shows you elsewhere.
You said you were at the movies at eight, but the CCTV shows you elsewhere.
I... I must have misremembered the time.
I... I must have misremembered the time.
That’s a major discrepancy in your story, don't you think?
That’s a major discrepancy in your story, don't you think?
Used to point out a contradiction in someone's narrative.
"discrepancy" in a sentence
There is a small discrepancy in the report.
There is a small discrepancy in the report.
The scientists could not explain the discrepancy between their theoretical model and the experimental data.
The scientists could not explain the discrepancy between their theoretical model and the experimental data.
Despite the discrepancy in their political views, the two senators managed to pass the bipartisan bill.
Despite the discrepancy in their political views, the two senators managed to pass the bipartisan bill.
