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

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

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 answer varies depending on who you speak to.

From BBC

They arrived "with varying levels of acuity", a spokesman said.

From BBC

After all, Russia is so big and varied.

From BBC

Forecasts for how much money Reeves needs to find to meet her self-imposed borrowing rules vary widely, with some estimates putting the figure at around £25bn.

From BBC

Many pupils across the West Midlands return to school on Wednesday, with parents and carers handing over varying sums depending on how many items were needed.

From BBC

Related Words

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