vary
Americanverb (used with object)
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varies,
present (3rd person singular)
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varied,
past participle, past
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varying
present participle
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to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance.
to vary one's methods.
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to cause to be different from something else.
The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.
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to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify.
to vary one's diet.
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Music. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
verb (used without object)
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varies,
present (3rd person singular)
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varied,
past participle, past
-
varying
present participle
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to show diversity; be different.
The age at which children are ready to read varies.
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to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc..
The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
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to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate.
Demand for certain products varies with the season.
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to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed byfrom ).
to vary from the norm.
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Mathematics. to be subject to change.
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Biology. to exhibit variation.
verb
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to undergo or cause to undergo change, alteration, or modification in appearance, character, form, attribute, etc
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to be different or cause to be different; be subject to change
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(tr) to give variety to
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to differ, as from a convention, standard, etc
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(intr) to change in accordance with another variable
her mood varies with the weather
pressure varies directly with temperature and inversely with volume
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(tr) music to modify (a theme) by the use of variation
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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variernoun
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overvaryverb
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intervaryverb (used without object)
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self-varyingadjective
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unvaryingadjective
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varyingadjective
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unvaryinglyadverb
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varyinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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varysimple
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variessimple
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have variedperfect
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has variedperfect
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am varyingprogressive
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are varyingprogressive
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is varyingprogressive
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have been varyingperfect progressive
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has been varyingperfect progressive
Past
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variedsimple
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had variedperfect
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was varyingprogressive
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were varyingprogressive
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had been varyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of vary
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English varien, from Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) ( see various) + -āre infinitive suffix
Explanation
If you're tired of the same old breakfast of bran flakes and orange juice, vary your routine—put some banana slices on those bran flakes. You can vary the routine by changing the details but keeping the basics the same. Use the verb vary when you're talking about changing up your usual routine. If your schedule changes at work, you might have to vary your sleep habits. A good dye job will vary the tints a little to look more natural. The ambiance at Olive Garden varies from restaurant to restaurant, but the unlimited breadsticks are always delicious. You'll probably recognize the root vari, which shows up in other words with similar meanings, like various, variable, and even variegated.
Vocabulary lists containing vary
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
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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.
See Examples For:
Independent estimates vary but range between 100 million and 130 million, or between 7% and 9% of the population.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
But there is no standardized public key for deciphering them; codes vary among plants and products, and the absence of an obvious “TF” is no guarantee Taylor Farms wasn’t involved.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
That shift can put Southern California in the crosshairs of potentially potent tropical moisture, though the pattern’s effects vary by area.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
While temperatures will continue to vary from year to year, scientists warn that summers will keep getting hotter on average as carbon emissions continue to heat up the planet.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
The way the effect is exerted may vary, but the end result is always the same.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
The amount of capital needed to obtain residency and eventual citizenship varies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
The number of visits per week varies dramatically among hospice providers.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
"The appearance of different species varies dramatically, from low shrubs to tall trees. Most striking are the leaves, which range from large and entire to small and deeply lobed," says Martin.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
Bunney said most jellyfish have stinging cells but the severity and detectability of the sting varies widely between species.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
The parental instinct varies as widely on Gethen as anywhere.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
They have varied from obscure Latin texts to cowboy novels.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
The trials are small and varied, so we cannot draw firm conclusions.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026
His filmography is as vast and varied as this bizarre castle’s meanderings, with life lessons for anyone.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Rather, the deeply personal and varied work—textiles, furniture, drawing and prints, videos and installations—adds up to an intimate diary of an artist for whom art and life have always been inseparable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
The method of choosing electors to that odd inspiration called the electoral college varied from state to state.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Taking into account the world's ageing population, they then modelled how heat will affect the health of three different age ranges by 2100 under varying levels of global warming.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
A partial eclipse happens about twice a year, to varying degrees.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Meyer recalls that when she lived with McLean there was a seemingly endless cycle of cats that would stay with them for varying periods of time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
In the 12-week study, 74 adults consumed different amounts of dairy under varying dietary conditions.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026
She sat down to more applause, and then we got up, one by one, in varying states of misplaced confidence or paralyzing terror.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
