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Synonyms

varied

American  
[vair-eed] / ˈvɛər id /

adjective

  1. characterized by or exhibiting variety; various; diverse; diversified.

    varied backgrounds.

  2. changed; altered.

    a varied estimate.

  3. having several different colors; variegated.


varied British  
/ ˈvɛərɪd /

adjective

  1. displaying or characterized by variety; diverse

  2. modified or altered

    the amount may be varied without notice

  3. varicoloured; variegated

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of varied

First recorded in 1580–90; vary + -ed 2

Explanation

Something is varied when it covers a wide range of things. If you start out eating eggs in the morning, then have a snack of sushi, then pizza for lunch, fresh fruit with your tea, and a beef stew for dinner, you have a varied diet. The word varied comes from vary, which means "to change, alter." Think of varied as describing something that has many altered forms or has been changed often. There are many varied ideas on how to improve the economy. The artist has painted in varied styles as his interests have changed. And a varied workout routine will keep you from getting bored.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing varied

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Varied scenes — a suburban home, a doctor in white lab coat — flash by.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2024

Varied thrushes breed up in the mountains, and are returning to the Western Washington lowlands for the winter.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 30, 2022

Bonardi: Varied lease lengths allow expirations and the resulting turnover to be spread across the year so that properties don’t see a glut of availability at any one time.

From Washington Post • May 3, 2022

Varied response of western Pacific hydrology to climate forcings over the Last Glacial Period.

From Nature • Feb. 4, 2018

Varied and constant use of their bodies made them as fit as marathon runners.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari