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

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

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

The amount of revenue that comes from nuclear varies by each company.

Read more on Barron's

The study found that while Democrats were largely consistent in their opposition to these immigration policies, Republican sentiment varied more, especially by age, gender and ethnicity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Estimates vary but it's a multi-billion dollar industry and its booming.

Read more on BBC

Exact rates vary by health, location, and insurer, but group policies like yours often lock in lower rates.

Read more on MarketWatch

Real raindrops vary in both size and speed, and these differences could influence power generation.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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