variability

[ vair-ee-uh-bil-i-tee ]

/ ˌvɛər i əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

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noun

the quality of being subject to change, especially frequent, random, or short-term change: On a longer time scale, climate variability translates into shortages of food and water worldwide.Ensuring effective cooperation in home care is difficult because of the variability of schedules and tasks of both patients and caregivers.

the quality of including different kinds, or of being different from one case to the other; diversity: Healthcare administrators noted the variability among nursing education programs and called for standardization.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of variability

variable + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM variability

hy·per·var·i·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·var·i·a·bil·i·ty, noun

Words nearby variability

Vargas Llosa, Varginha, vargueno, vari, varia, variability, variable, variable annuity, variable contrast paper, variable cost, variable-density wind tunnel

How to use variability in a sentence

There are regional differences and variable outcomes by retailer, with many in bankruptcy.
E-commerce explodes: 45% growth in Q2|Greg Sterling|August 19, 2020|Search Engine Land
“If you know the first five things you’ve assigned don’t fit together, you don’t have to look at any of the other variables, and that generally cuts the search down a whole lot,” said Shor, who is now at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Computer Search Settles 90-Year-Old Math Problem|Kevin Hartnett|August 19, 2020|Quanta Magazine
There are too many new players and too many variables to assume that two superpowers will monopolize the rules of technology for the foreseeable future.
Covid-19 and the geopolitics of American decline|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
This gave us a total pitch quality score for every pitcher, combining all speed and movement variables and weighted by their relative importance.
What Really Gives Left-Handed Pitchers Their Edge?|Guy Molyneux|August 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

We also expect turnout to be harder to predict this year based on primary elections held during the pandemic that had highly variable turnout — which, in turn, could lead to more polling error.
It’s Way Too Soon To Count Trump Out|Nate Silver (nrsilver@fivethirtyeight.com)|August 12, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
His ideological variability across a range of issues has caused many to label him the “swing justice.”
The Outside Game of Justice Scalia, a Loner With Clout|David Fontana|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because of the wide variability in codeine metabolism, its use as a cough suppressant is not recommended.
Codeine Still Widely Prescribed to Kids Despite Decades-Old Warnings|Russell Saunders|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It tells us little to nothing about variability by region, by education level, by type of jobs.
Don’t Trust the Economic Numbers That Govern Our World|Zachary Karabell|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The next evolution of these practices is heart rate variability training.
Hack Your Health: 6 Biohacks That Might Surprise You|DailyBurn|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Download the Stress Doctor app for your mobile device and spend five minutes doing some Heart Rate Variability training.
Six Secrets of Sleep Hacking to Get More Effective Rest|Ari Meisel|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That much variability means a crystal structure which is—uh—flexible, damn it!
Security|Poul William Anderson
Nevertheless it would be imprudent wholly to rule out this form of sexual aberration from the causes of variability of species.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont
An extraordinary set of coincidences which "points unmistakably to a common origin and cause of variability."
A Text-Book of Astronomy|George C. Comstock
But for the proofs of variability we have not to rely upon theoretical reasoning.
Colouration in Animals and Plants|Alfred Tylor
The science of physiognomy belongs to those disciplines which show a decided variability in their value.
Criminal Psychology|Hans Gross