Meaning & use
variance
A statistical measure of how spread out a set of values is from their average.
See it in a sentence
A low variance in test scores showed that most students performed similarly.
The two reports showed a variance in sales figures that accountants needed to explain.
A note on using this word
In everyday use, variance simply means a difference between things; in statistics it has a precise, squared-deviation meaning.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A difference or disagreement between two things that should match.
The auditor noted a variance between the invoice and the delivery record.
Make it your own
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