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English

variance

gb/vˈɛɹiəns/ us/vˈɛɹiəns/
B2 English
~ 9300
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 quantity
1

amount of difference between things

The amount of difference between things, or between something and what is usual or expected.

Usage pattern: variance in [something]; variance between [things]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "variance" with "variation." In everyday English, "variation" is more common for small changes over time or between things (e.g., "temperature variation"), while "variance" often sounds more technical or formal and refers to the degree of difference, sometimes in a measured or calculated way.
Synonyms
difference (More general and common; does not suggest measurement as strongly as "variance".)
Antonyms
uniformity (Emphasizes everything being the same, with no noticeable difference.)
Collocations
variance in results |variance between groups |a wide variance |considerable variance |reduce variance |price variance
Themes
business |science |everyday_life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • There is a lot of variance in salaries between departments.
  • The study found little variance between the two test groups.
  • We need to understand the variance in customer behavior across regions.
  • The teacher noticed significant variance in the students’ writing skills.
  • Our monthly sales figures show too much variance for accurate forecasting.
Learner examples
  • There is big variance in house prices in this city.
  • We saw some variance in how the children answered the questions.
  • The manager wants less variance in the daily numbers.
  • There was little variance between the two test scores.
  • The weather shows great variance from day to day here.
Noun technical C1 quantity
2

statistical measure of spread

In statistics, a number that shows how much the values in a group of numbers are spread out around the average.

Usage pattern: the variance of [a variable]; variance in [data]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "variance" with "standard deviation." Variance is the average of the squared differences from the mean, while standard deviation is the square root of the variance and has the same units as the original data.
Synonyms
dispersion (A broader technical term for spread; not always a specific numerical measure like variance.)
Antonyms
constancy (If variance is zero, values do not change; they are constant.)
Collocations
calculate the variance |high variance |low variance |explain the variance |variance in test scores |variance component
Themes
mathematics |science |statistics |education
Examples
  • The variance of the sample was much larger than we expected.
  • A high variance indicates that the data points are widely spread out around the mean.
  • We used variance to compare the stability of the two production processes.
  • The model explains 80% of the variance in exam scores.
  • Reducing variance in the measurements will improve the reliability of the study.
Learner examples
  • In this class we learned how to find the variance of a set of numbers.
  • If the numbers are very different, the variance is high.
  • If all numbers are the same, the variance is zero.
  • The teacher used test scores to show an example of variance.
  • Scientists use variance to talk about how data is spread.
Noun formal C1 state
3

state of disagreement or conflict

A state where two things do not agree or do not match each other.

Usage pattern: [something] is at variance with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may say *"in variance with"* instead of the more natural fixed phrase "at variance with" when they mean "in disagreement with." "In variance" is rare; use "at variance with" in most formal contexts.
Synonyms
conflict (Stronger and more general; can suggest active fighting, while "variance" is often about mismatch or disagreement in facts, ideas, or statements.)
Antonyms
accord (Suggests agreement and harmony, the opposite of being in disagreement.)
Collocations
at variance with |in variance with |directly at variance |wholly at variance |be at variance |stand at variance
Themes
law |politics |formal_writing |relationships
Examples
  • His latest statement is at variance with the data in the report.
  • The witness’s account was at variance with the video evidence.
  • These new guidelines are clearly at variance with existing company policy.
  • Her actions were at variance with the promises she had made.
  • The two documents are in complete variance on this point.
Learner examples
  • His story is at variance with what she said.
  • The report is at variance with the facts.
  • Their public image is at variance with their real behavior.
  • This rule is at variance with the old law.
  • The numbers are at variance with our expectations.
Noun technical C2 entity
4

official permission as an exception

An official document or decision that lets a person do something that the normal rules do not allow.

Usage pattern: a variance to [do something]; a variance from [a rule]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning of "variance" is just another word for "difference." In legal and planning contexts, "a variance" is a specific permission to break or change a rule, not just a general difference.
Synonyms
exemption (Similar idea of being released from a rule, but "variance" is more specific to planning, zoning, and regulatory contexts.)
Antonyms
compliance (Following the rules fully instead of receiving special permission to break them.)
Collocations
grant a variance |request a variance |apply for a variance |zoning variance |building code variance |variance from regulations
Themes
law |government |business |housing
Examples
  • The homeowner applied for a variance to build closer to the property line.
  • The city council voted to deny the zoning variance.
  • You will need a variance from the building code before starting construction.
  • They obtained a variance that allows them to operate the store on weekends.
  • Without a variance, the project would violate local height restrictions.
Learner examples
  • We need a variance to build this tall fence.
  • The city can give a variance if the rule is too strict.
  • He asked for a zoning variance to open a restaurant there.
  • The town did not grant the variance, so the plan stopped.
  • The company got a variance from the normal safety rules.
Grammar
Dictionary form
variance
IPA
GB/vˈɛɹiəns/
US/vˈɛɹiəns/
Syllables & stress
vari - ance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vari)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: variance
  • Plural: variance, variances
Word family
Forms
variances noun
Core family
vary verb B1 variation noun B1 variable adjective B1 various adjective B1
Related words
variety noun A2 variously adverb variability noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
invariable adjective C1 invariably adverb B2
Advanced or less common
variant noun B2 invariance noun
Expressions

at variance with

1
/ˈæt vˈɛɹiəns wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase formal

in disagreement or not matching

To be different from something in a way that shows disagreement or that the two things do not match.

Examples
  • His comments are at variance with the official company position.
  • The court found that the new policy was at variance with the constitution.
  • These results are sharply at variance with our earlier findings.
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