Discrepancy
/dɪˈskrepənsi/
Definitions
A difference or inconsistency between things that should be the same or that are expected to be the same.
/dɪˈskrepənsi/
A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts or claims; a difference.
There was a discrepancy between the two accounts of the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friend both ordered the same sandwich. If one of them gets an extra pickle, that's a discrepancy! It's when things don't quite match up.
👶 For kids: It's when something is different than what it's supposed to be.
More Examples
The investigators are looking into the discrepancy in the budget.
The report revealed a discrepancy between the company's claims and its actions.
How It's Used
"The auditors found a discrepancy in the financial records."
"The journalist pointed out a discrepancy between the official report and eyewitness accounts."
"The lawyer highlighted the discrepancies in the testimonies."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
spot a discrepancy
To notice a difference or inconsistency.
"The accountant was quick to spot a discrepancy in the ledger."
resolve a discrepancy
To find a solution to an inconsistency or difference.
"The team worked hard to resolve the discrepancy in the sales figures."
From Late Latin discrepantia, from discrepans, present participle of discrepare 'to disagree, differ', from dis- 'apart' + crepare 'to creak'.
The word discrepancy has been used since the early 17th century. It was commonly used in legal and financial contexts to describe inconsistencies.
Memory tip
Think of a recipe: a discrepancy is like adding too much salt - it's not what it's supposed to be.