What does discrepance mean?
Discrepance is a formal and relatively uncommon noun meaning a difference, inconsistency, or disagreement, especially between two statements, descriptions, or sets of facts that might reasonably be expected to agree. In use, it often emphasizes the gap between what has been asserted and what the evidence shows. “There was a discrepance between the ledger and the bank statement” is therefore more idiomatic than “There was a discrepance and the ledger,” because the word normally depends on a contrastive construction such as “between” or “in.” Its close relative discrepancy is much more frequent in modern English, and most speakers would choose that word in ordinary conversation. Discrepance nevertheless has a useful formal or literary flavour, and it can sound especially apt in legal, historical, philosophical, or analytical writing about conflicting accounts. Knowing it enriches a familiar vocabulary: it names not merely any difference, but a meaningful mismatch between things expected to correspond. The word is fully established in English, although it occupies a much smaller lexical territory than discrepancy and should not be treated as an interchangeable label in every register.
nounA difference or discrepancy between two things, especially statements, descriptions, or sets of facts that might be expected to agree. It can also refer to disagreement or inconsistency between people or accounts.
- A difference or inconsistency between things that might be expected to agree or correspond.
- Disagreement or conflict between people, statements, or accounts.
"The auditor noted a discrepance between the recorded totals and the supporting documentation."
"There was a clear discrepance between the official figures and the figures reported by local agencies."
"The witnesses' accounts were sufficiently different that counsel emphasized the discrepance in their testimony."
The plural is grammatical but rarely needed because the word itself is uncommon.
"The report attempted to explain the discrepances between the surviving records."
Latin discrepantia lives on in the English family of discrepance, discrepant, and discrepancy—a small family built around difference.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does discrepance come from?
Discrepance entered English through Middle French discrepance, ultimately from Latin discrepantia, a noun meaning “difference.” The Latin word was associated with discrepare, meaning “to differ” or “be different.” English later developed several relatives from this source, including discrepant and discrepancy.
How discrepance is actually used
Discrepance is formal and relatively uncommon. In contemporary English, discrepancy is usually more natural, especially in general, legal, and business contexts. Discrepance often appears with constructions such as “between” or “in,” and it can convey an analytical or literary tone.
Easily confused with discrepance
Discrepancy is the standard, much more common modern term for a difference or inconsistency, while discrepance is a rarer and more formal alternative with much the same meaning.