vary
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.
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
1Other words for vary
Other words from vary
- var·i·er, noun
- var·y·ing·ly, adverb
- in·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, adjective
- un·var·y·ing, adjective
- un·var·y·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use vary in a sentence
As these microbes munched on the rocks for about three weeks, they were exposed to varying gravitational conditions—microgravity conditions similar to those on the moon, Mars and Earth-like gravity, which were simulated using a centrifuge.
These rock-eating microbes could help us settle the Moon and Mars | Paola Rosa-Aquino | November 11, 2020 | Popular-SciencePolitics vary in the town, she added, describing it as a bit of a mixed bag.
After a tight race, a French bulldog was elected mayor of this small Kentucky town | Sydney Page | November 9, 2020 | Washington PostElective surgeries have generally resumed, though how much medical care people are seeking varies across the country based on how the virus is spreading, Lynch said on the call.
Each battery promises up to 31 minutes of flight time, but that varies considerably depending on your conditions.
DJI’s Mini 2 drone adds pro-grade features and a $50 price hike | Stan Horaczek | November 6, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThis benefit will of course vary from game to game, however — some developers are announcing their performance gains publicly, while others with less impressive ones may just let sleeping dogs lie.
Review: Sony’s PlayStation 5 is here, but next-generation gaming is still on its way | Devin Coldewey | November 6, 2020 | TechCrunch
About half of these are preschool students with varying levels of special needs.
Magical Gardens for the Blind, Deaf, and Disabled | Elizabeth Picciuto | October 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSince the 10th century, Bulgaria has practiced varying forms of prevention to keep vampires from coming back to life.
All models favor Republicans to varying degrees, but the world changes fast.
In our new series, The Collectors Project, we will profile these fascinating individuals of varying passions.
Pryor Dodge's Two-Wheeled Obsession Is Now a Museum of Bike History | Anthony Haden-Guest | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo varying degrees, the foundations of your background can help or harm you.
The plan to be followed must in each case adapt itself to the constantly varying needs of the country.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsThe pole was, therefore, continually floating or rising and falling in steam of ever-varying pressure.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThe courts have been often troubled about the degree of care required of bailees, as it differs under varying circumstances.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesWithin the sunbonnets were three equally rosy faces, of varying sizes, each smiling broadly and each full of a friendly curiosity.
Dorothy at Skyrie | Evelyn RaymondThe Petrel then took up position and shelled the fort with varying result, followed by the Raleigh.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
British Dictionary definitions for vary
/ (ˈvɛərɪ) /
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 variable: her 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
Origin of vary
1Derived forms of vary
- varying, adjective
- varyingly, adverb
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
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