varied

[ vair-eed ]

/ ˈvɛər id /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR varied ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by or exhibiting variety; various; diverse; diversified: varied backgrounds.

changed; altered: a varied estimate.

having several different colors; variegated.

Nearby words

varicosis, varicosity, varicotomy, varicula, varicule, varied, varied thrush, variedly, variegate, variegate porphyria, variegated

Origin of varied

First recorded in 1580–90; vary + -ed²

Related forms

var·ied·ly, adverbvar·ied·ness, nounnon·var·ied, adjectiveun·var·ied, adjective

well-var·ied, adjective

Definition for varied (2 of 2)

vary

[ vair-ee ]

/ ˈvɛər i /

verb (used with object), var·ied, var·y·ing.

to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one's methods.

to cause to be different from something else: The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.

to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify: to vary one's diet.

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

verb (used without object), var·ied, var·y·ing.

to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.

to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.

to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.

to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed by from): to vary from the norm.

Mathematics. to be subject to change.

Biology. to exhibit variation.

Origin of vary

1300–50; Middle English varien < Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) (see various) + -āre infinitive suffix

SYNONYMS FOR vary

1 modify, mutate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vary ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

var·i·er, nounvar·y·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·var·y, verb (used without object), in·ter·var·ied, in·ter·var·y·ing.o·ver·var·y, verb, o·ver·var·ied, o·ver·var·y·ing.

self-var·y·ing, adjectiveun·var·y·ing, adjectiveun·var·y·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for varied

Since 1987, there have been roughly 1,300 cases filed under the blasphemy laws, according to varied reports.
Disco Mullah Blasphemy Row Highlights Pakistan’s Hypocrisy|Shaheen Pasha|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do the varied autopsy reports support or contradict witness testimony?
There’s No Conspiracy in Ferguson’s Secret Jury|Paul Callan|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When a country spreads over a large and varied land mass, connections can be as important as resources.
Electricity Superhighway||October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though that varied greatly by region, it made up nearly a third of the total cost.
Free Market Failure: Raising a Kid Is a Rigged Game in the USA|Monica Potts|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The truth is that diet should be varied and no single vegetable produces “miracle” results.
The Dangers of Superfoods|Lizzie Crocker|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The outlines were more rugged and varied than those of Samoa, and the growth of bush was certainly more luxuriant.
Stevenson's Shrine|Laura Stubbs
The cost of some headings in the new red sandstone which the writer recently inspected, varied from 30s.
Water Supply: the Present Practice of Sinking and Boring Wells|Ernest Spon
The styles of card and envelope are so varied that none are more fashionable than others.
A Hand-book of Etiquette for Ladies|Anonymous
Since then I have not questioned her as often—perhaps only once a week, and her replies have varied, some being very good.
Lola|Henny Kindermann
Nothing less than the possession of them would, to his thinking, round out a varied and active career.
The Drums Of Jeopardy|Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for varied (1 of 2)

varied

/ (ˈvɛərɪd) /

adjective

displaying or characterized by variety; diverse

modified or alteredthe amount may be varied without notice

varicoloured; variegated

Derived Formsvariedly, adverbvariedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for varied (2 of 2)

vary

/ (ˈvɛərɪ) /

verb varies, varying or varied

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

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

(tr) to give variety to

(intr foll by from) to differ, as from a convention, standard, etc

(intr) to change in accordance with another variableher mood varies with the weather; pressure varies directly with temperature and inversely with volume

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

Derived Formsvarying, adjectivevaryingly, adverb

Word Origin for vary

C14: from Latin variāre, from varius various

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

Word Origin and History for varied (1 of 2)

varied

adj.

"differing from one another," 1580s, from past participle of vary (q.v.).

Word Origin and History for varied (1 of 2)

vary

mid-14c. (transitive); late 14c. (intransitive), from Old French varier, from Latin variare "change, alter, make different," from varius "varied, different, spotted;" perhaps related to varus "bent, crooked, knock-kneed," and varix "varicose vein," from a PIE root *wer- (1) "high raised spot or other bodily infirmity" (cf. Old English wearte "wart," Swedish varbulde "pus swelling," Latin verruca "wart"). Related: Varied; varying.

Medicine definitions for varied

vary

[ vâr′ē ]

v.

To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.

To undergo or show change.

To be different; deviate.

varied

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of varied

Definition for varied (2 of 2)

vary

verb (used with object), var·ied, var·y·ing.

verb (used without object), var·ied, var·y·ing.

Origin of vary

Examples from the Web for varied

British Dictionary definitions for varied (1 of 2)

varied

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for varied (2 of 2)

vary

verb varies, varying or varied

Word Origin for vary

Word Origin and History for varied (1 of 2)

varied

Word Origin and History for varied (1 of 2)

vary

Medicine definitions for varied

vary

v.