variability

American  

[vair-ee-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌvɛər i əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the quality of being subject to change, especially frequent, random, or short-term change: Ensuring effective cooperation in home care is difficult because of the variability of schedules and tasks of both patients and caregivers.

   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.

2. 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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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonvariability
  noun
• hypervariability
  noun

Etymology

Origin of variability

variable ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

The weather in San Francisco is known for its variability. One minute it's summer and the next, winter. Variability means the tendency to shift or change — of being "variable." There are many words that contain vari-, and they almost all have to do with change or difference. Variability is the noun version of this idea. The variability of the weather means that you never know exactly what to wear. T-shirt or sweater: the choices vary along with the weather. Many things are known for their variability: the taste of teenagers, the talent of the singers on "American Idol," Frank Sinatra's moods. These are just some of the things that exhibit real variability.

Example Sentences

"This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK's weather and the longer-term warming we are observing," Met Office Scientist Dr Emily Carlisle said.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

The cap, which applies to the undergraduate college, limits the number of A’s per course to 20%, plus an additional four A’s to account for smaller courses with more variability.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

The study found evidence that watermelon juice supplementation helped maintain vascular function during hyperglycemia and influenced heart rate variability.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

The macro backdrop can explain a lot of variability.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Shapley had found a stellar standard candle, a star noticeable because of its variability, but which had always the same average intrinsic brightness.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• anxiety
• fluctuation
• insecurity
• uncertainty
• volatility
• vulnerability
• weakness