vary

American  

[vair-ee] / ˈvɛər i /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of vary

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English varien, from Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) ( various ) + -āre infinitive suffix

Example Sentences

Estimates of Musk’s wealth vary, largely depending on how his private companies—which also include Neuralink and the Boring Co.—are valued.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The consequences of the tariff changes will vary widely depending on the product.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

With other MLB teams, prices to stream all 162 games plus the postseason may vary.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The impact will vary by airline, he added.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

All 25 of the courses take 414 days, and vary only slightly in thrust duration and angle.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

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