variance

var·i·ance

noun \ˈver-ē-ən(t)s\

Definition of VARIANCE

1

: the fact, quality, or state of being variable or variant : difference, variation <yearly variance in crops>

2

: the fact or state of being in disagreement : dissension, dispute

3

: a disagreement between two parts of the same legal proceeding that must be consonant

4

: a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule <a zoning variance>

5

: the square of the standard deviation

— at variance

: not in harmony or agreement

Examples of VARIANCE

1. There was some variance in the results.
2. We noticed a slight variance between the quality of the samples.
3. He had to get a variance to add a garage on to his house.

First Known Use of VARIANCE

14th century

Related to VARIANCE

Synonyms

conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, discord, war, warfare

Antonyms

accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Related Words

clash, collision, competition, contention; altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure; falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor

Near Antonyms

concurrence, cooperation

See Synonym Discussion at discord