vary

[vair-ee]

verb (used with object)

varied, varying 

1. to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance.

   to vary one's methods.

   Synonyms: mutate, modify

2. to cause to be different from something else.

   The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.

3. to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify.

   to vary one's diet.

4. Music.,  to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.

verb (used without object)

varied, varying 

1. to show diversity; be different.

   The age at which children are ready to read varies.

2. to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc..

   The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.

3. to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate.

   Demand for certain products varies with the season.

4. to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed byfrom ).

   to vary from the norm.

5. Mathematics.,  to be subject to change.

6. Biology.,  to exhibit variation.

vary

/ ˈvɛərɪ /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo change, alteration, or modification in appearance, character, form, attribute, etc

2. to be different or cause to be different; be subject to change

3. (tr) to give variety to

4. to differ, as from a convention, standard, etc

5. (intr) to change in accordance with another variable

   her mood varies with the weather

   pressure varies directly with temperature and inversely with volume

6. (tr) music to modify (a theme) by the use of variation

Other Word Forms

• varying adjective
• varyingly adverb
• varier noun
• intervary verb (used without object)
• overvary verb
• self-varying adjective
• unvarying adjective
• unvaryingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vary¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English varien, from Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) ( various ) + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of vary¹

C14: from Latin variāre, from varius _various

Example Sentences

Thursday is expected to be the wettest day of the week; however, models vary widely when it comes to the total amount of rainfall predicted.

From Los Angeles Times

The women testified to varying degrees of shame, guilt, anxiety, avoidance and trauma from their dealings with Poe.

From Los Angeles Times

The reasons given for the lack of teaching about afro hair varied from the colleges we approached.

From BBC

The impact of the pandemic set out in the testimony is hugely varied and includes happier memories from those who flourished in secure homes, enjoying online learning.

From BBC

When it comes to working out, and varying levels of intensity, he says don't go too hard too quickly.

From BBC

Related Words

• alter 
• differ 
• diverge 
• diversify 
• divide 
• fluctuate 
• modify 
• range