vagary

American  

[vuh-gair-ee, vey-guh-ree] / vəˈgɛər i, ˈveɪ gə ri /

noun

plural

vagaries

1. an unpredictable or erratic action, occurrence, course, or instance.

   the vagaries of weather; the vagaries of the economic scene.

2. a whimsical, wild, or unusual idea, desire, or action.

   Synonyms:

   crotchet, quirk, whim, caprice

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vagary British  

/ vəˈɡɛərɪ, ˈveɪɡərɪ /

noun

1. an erratic or outlandish notion or action; whim

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Etymology

Origin of vagary

1565–75, in sense “wandering journey”; apparently < Latin vagārī to wander

Explanation

A vagary is an unexpected and unpredictable change, and the word is usually used in the plural. You might know from experience that the vagaries of winter weather make planning a vacation in February a risky proposition. Vagary traces back to the Latin root meaning "wander," and you can think of a vagary as something that wanders. Events or situations that seem to change at random have vagaries. Whether the hottest new boy band will succeed or not is dependent on the vagaries of teenage enthusiasms. The vagaries of the real estate market will determine whether that swamp property you just bought is a gold mine or a disaster.

Example Sentences

He said, in apologetic answer: "If after a first and second Vagary she would Accept of me returning her Victorious Kindness and Good Will would be very Obliging."

From Customs and Fashions in Old New England by Earle, Alice Morse

Afterward I said, If after a first and second Vagary she would Accept of me returning, Her Victorious Kindness and Good Will would be very Obliging.

From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. IX (of X) - America - I by Lodge, Henry Cabot

"Vagary be——!" growled old Quirk, sullenly, without moving in his chair.

From Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 1. by Warren, Samuel

Vagary, va-gā′ri, n. a wandering of the thoughts: a wild freak: a whim:—pl.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Related Words

• quirk
• whim