var·i·ance 
/ˈverijəns/ noun
plural var·i·anc·es /ˈverijəns/ noun 1 formal : an amount of difference or change [noncount] ▪ There was some variance in the results. [count] ▪ We noticed a slight variance between/in the quality of the samples. 2 [count] law : an official decision or document that allows someone to do something that is not usually allowed by the rules
▪ He had to get a variance to add a garage on to his house.
▪ He had to get a variance to add a garage on to his house.
at variance
formal : not in agreement
▪ Their statements are at variance. — usually + with ▪ His current statements are completely at variance with his earlier position.
▪ Their statements are at variance. — usually + with ▪ His current statements are completely at variance with his earlier position.
