discrepancy

/dis'krepənsi/

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Word: Discrepancy

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: A discrepancy is when there is a difference or a disagreement between two things that are expected to be the same or in agreement. It often refers to conflicting facts, claims, or opinions. For example, if two people report different amounts of money, that difference is a discrepancy.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "discrepancy" when you want to talk about a difference that causes confusion or needs to be resolved.
• It is often used in formal or academic contexts, such as in reports, studies, or discussions about facts.

Example Sentence:

• "There was a discrepancy between the bank statements and the receipts, which made it hard to understand what happened to the money."

Advanced Usage:

• In a legal context, "discrepancy" can refer to differences in witness statements or evidence.
• In data analysis, researchers might look for discrepancies in their findings to ensure accuracy.

Word Variants:

• Discrepant (adjective): Referring to something that shows a discrepancy.
  • Example: "The discrepant data points led to further investigation."
• Discrepantly (adverb): In a way that shows a difference or disagreement.
  • Example: "The two reports were discrepantly written, leading to confusion."

Different Meanings:

1. General Context: A difference between two things.
2. Mathematics/Statistics: A discrepancy can refer to the deviation of a value from a standard or expected value.

Synonyms:

• Difference
• Inconsistency
• Disagreement
• Divergence
• Variation

Idioms:

While there are no specific idioms using the word "discrepancy," you might encounter phrases that imply differences, such as: - "There’s a gap in understanding." - "We are not on the same page."

Phrasal Verbs:

There are no direct phrasal verbs that use "discrepancy," but you might use phrases that imply checking or reconciling differences, such as: - "To sort out differences" - "To iron out discrepancies"

Summary:

In summary, a discrepancy highlights a difference that can cause confusion or needs clarification, and it can appear in various contexts such as finance, legal matters, or data analysis.

Academic

Noun

1. an event that departs from expectations
2. a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
   • a growing divergence of opinion

Synonyms

• variance
• variant
• disagreement
• divergence