variance
8 synonyms and 5 antonyms for variance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A difference between what was expected and what actually happened.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A difference between what was expected and what actually happened.
“The accountant flagged a variance between the budget and the actual spend.”
How to use variance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
at variance with
zoning variance
statistical variance
Etymology
From Old French variance, ultimately from Latin variantia, related to variare, "to change."
Full origin of variance →Frequently asked questions
What does “variance” mean?
The word “variance” means a difference between what was expected and what actually happened. In plain terms, variance is a gap between things — between plan and reality, between two accounts, or, in statistics, a measure of how much data spreads out.
How do you pronounce “variance”?
“Variance” is pronounced VEH-uh-ree-uhns (/ˈvæɹ.i.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “variance” in a sentence?
Here is “variance” used in a sentence: “The accountant flagged a variance between the budget and the actual spend.”
What part of speech is “variance”?
“Variance” is a noun.
Where does the word “variance” come from?
The word “variance” comes from Latin. From Old French variance, ultimately from Latin variantia, related to variare, "to change.".
Is “variance” a common word?
“Variance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “variance” have?
“Variance” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a difference between what was expected and what actually happened.
