Discrepancy: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：mismatch (discrepancy)

discrepancy 🔊

/dɪˈskrepənsi/

A difference between two things that should be the same, often causing confusion or needing an explanation.

mismatch 🔊

➕

/mɪs.mætʃ/

A situation where two or more related pieces of information, facts, or amounts do not agree with each other as they logically should.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'discrepantia', from 'dis-' (apart) + 'crepare' (to creak, rattle). Literally 'sounding apart' → discordance.

💡 Mnemonic

DIScovered a CREepy PANda CYcle - a DIS-CRE-PAN-CY is a weird, mismatched sight.

📖 Example

My manager asked me to double-check the figures because there was a discrepancy between last month's sales report and the bank statement. 🔊 My supervisor requested a review of the numbers due to an inconsistency found between the financial documents.

🔗 Collocations

notice a discrepancy – To observe or become aware of an inconsistency.

explain the discrepancy – To provide a reason or clarification for the difference.

significant discrepancy – A large or important difference that cannot be ignored.

🔄 Synonyms

difference (n.) – A more general term for not being the same.

inconsistency (n.) – A state of lacking harmony or being contradictory.

divergence (n.) – A formal term for moving or developing in different directions from a common point.

🚫 Antonyms

agreement (n.) – A state of harmony or correspondence.

consistency (n.) – Conformity in application or performance; reliability.

correspondence (n.) – A close similarity, connection, or equivalence.

🌱 Derivatives

discrepant (adj.) – Showing a discrepancy; differing or disagreeing.

📖 Cultural Story

Originally from Latin meaning 'discordant sound', it evolved in English to describe any mismatch, especially in formal contexts like accounting, law, and science where precise agreement is expected.