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

Some companies have schemes in place to write off debt or offer emergency vouchers, but these measures vary across the sector.

From BBC

She offered three more chances of varying difficulty on 37, 50 and 53 and by the time a catch was finally taken in the 44th over, the game had slipped far from Sri Lanka's grasp.

From BBC

For anyone who has followed Armisen’s unconventional road to comedy, “100 Sound Effects” almost comes across like a Venn diagram of his varied interests.

From Los Angeles Times

The cost varies, with some charging around £99 for a single dose.

From BBC

Feel free to let us know how your opinions vary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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