the fact that two or more things are different, or the amount or number by which they are different

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。

official permission to do something that is not normally allowed

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。

to be in disagreement with someone or something, or to be different from him, her, or it

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。