[ C or U ] formal the fact that two or more things are different, or the amount or number by which they are different分歧;不同;差异
There has been some unusual variance in temperature this month.本月气温有些异常变化。
I could detect subtle variances in fragrance as we strolled through the garden.我们在花园散步时,我可以闻出不同香味间的细微差异。
[ C ] US specialized law official permission to do something that is not normally allowed特殊许可
We had to get a (zoning) variance before we could build the extension on our house.我们扩建房屋前必须获得(城市区划)特殊许可。
be at variance (with sb/sth) to be in disagreement with someone or something, or to be different from him, her, or it与…有分歧;与…存在差异
Young people's reactions to world events are often at variance with those of their parents.年轻人对国际大事的反应往往与父辈们存在差异。
Her public and private personas are at variance.她在公众和私下表现出的人格面貌并不一致。