disˈcordance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal (general), Technical/Specialist (scientific)
Quick answer
What does “disˈcordance” mean?
A state of disagreement, conflict, or lack of harmony between things or people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state of disagreement, conflict, or lack of harmony between things or people.
In technical contexts (e.g., genetics, geology), a lack of agreement, correlation, or congruity between sets of data, layers, or sequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Slight preference for 'discord' in US English for everyday conflict, reserving 'discordance' for more formal or technical contexts.
Connotations
Equally formal in both dialects.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly higher in British academic/technical writing due to traditional scientific publishing.
Grammar
How to Use “disˈcordance” in a Sentence
discordance between [NP] and [NP]discordance in [NP]discordance of [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disˈcordance” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The discordant opinions within the committee were evident.
- Geologists studied the discordant rock layers.
American English
- The discordant findings puzzled the researchers.
- They heard discordant melodies from the rehearsal room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in formal reports about strategic or ethical disagreements: 'The discordance between the board's vision and market realities caused paralysis.'
Academic
Common in scientific writing (genetics, medicine, geology) and humanities to describe mismatches in theories, data, or interpretations.
Everyday
Very rare. Would likely be paraphrased as 'disagreement' or 'clash'.
Technical
Core term in specific fields: e.g., 'discordant results' in lab tests, 'discordant strata' in geology, 'discordant twin pairs' in genetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disˈcordance”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disˈcordance”
- Using 'discordance' as a verb (incorrect). The verb is 'to discord' (rare/archaic) or 'to be discordant'. Confusing with 'discord' (the more common noun for active conflict).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Discord' is a more general, active state of conflict or strife (e.g., marital discord). 'Discordance' is more specific, denoting a formal state of incongruity, mismatch, or lack of harmony, often between abstract things like data, sounds, or opinions.
It would sound very formal and possibly unnatural. In everyday speech, use words like 'disagreement', 'clash', 'mismatch', or 'they don't agree' instead.
In genetics and medicine, to describe when related individuals (like twins) differ for a particular trait or test result. Also common in geology for rock layers that do not align.
'Discordant' (e.g., discordant views, discordant results). This is far more commonly used than the noun 'discordance'.
A state of disagreement, conflict, or lack of harmony between things or people.
Disˈcordance is usually formal (general), technical/specialist (scientific) in register.
Disˈcordance: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈskɔːdəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈkɔːrdəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to) strike a discordant note”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DIScordant musical chord - it sounds wrong. DIScord-ANCE is the state of that wrongness or disagreement.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARMONY IS AGREEMENT / DISCORDANCE IS PHYSICAL CLASHING (e.g., 'clashing views', 'striking discordance').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'discordance' MOST appropriately used?