vary

Verb
US[ver-ee]/ˈvɛri/2 syllables
Synonyms: changealterdeviatedivergedepartvariegatemotley

Open English WordNet

Verb (4)varied, varies, varying

  1. become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence“her mood changes in accordance with the weather”“The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season”Synonyms: changealterMore general act, moveMore specific stop, disappear, move, fall asleep, wake, specialize, alternate, film over, clear up, rise +8 more
  2. be at variance with; be out of line withSynonyms: deviatedivergedepartOpposite conformMore general differMore specific contradict, aberrate
  3. be subject to change in accordance with a variable“Prices vary”“His moods vary depending on the weather”More general differMore specific drift, co-vary
  4. make something more diverse and varied“Vary the menu”Synonyms: variegatemotleyMore general diversifyMore specific checker, chequer

Related words varying adjective, variable adjective, variant adjective, variation noun, variant noun, deviant adjective, deviate noun, divergence noun, deviation noun, deviance noun, deviant noun, deviate adjective, fluctuation noun, chance variable noun

Word of the day · Oct 13About this word
irascibleadjective

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Translations

Verb to change, alter

Spanish
variar
French
varier
German
variieren
Italian
variare
Portuguese
variar
Russian
варьи́ровать varʹírovatʹ
Dutch
variëren
Polish
zmieniać
Swedish
variera
Greek
ποικίλλω poikíllo
8 more languages
Hungarian
variál
Portuguese (PT)
variar
Chinese (Trad.)
變更 biàngēng
Catalan
variar
Esperanto
varii
Finnish
vaihdella
Norwegian
variere
Welsh
ymrafael

The main translation for each meaning, from the langtolang.com multilingual dictionary. Each word links to its full entry there.

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Va′ry transitive verb [past tense & past participle Varied; present participle & verbal noun Varying.]

Origin: OE. varien, F. varier, L. variare, fr. varius various. See Various, and cf. Variate.

1. To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance, substance, position, or the like; to make different by a partial change; to modify; as, to vary the properties, proportions, or nature of a thing; to vary a posture or an attitude; to vary one's dress or opinions.

Shall we vary our device at will, Even as new occasion appears?— Edmund Spenser

2. To change to something else; to transmute; to exchange; to alternate.

Gods, that never change their state, Vary oft their love and hate.— Edmund Waller
We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.— John Dryden

3. To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversify; to variegate.

God hath varied their inclinations.— Sir Thomas Browne
God hath here Varied his bounty so with new delights.— John Milton

4. Music To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See Variation, 4.

Va′ry intransitive verb

1. To alter, or be altered, in any manner; to suffer a partial change; to become different; to be modified; as, colors vary in different lights.

That each from other differs, first confess; Next, that he varies from himself no less.— Alexander Pope

2. To differ, or be different; to be unlike or diverse; as, the laws of France vary from those of England.

3. To alter or change in succession; to alternate; as, one mathematical quantity varies inversely as another.

While fear and anger, with alternate grace, Pant in her breast, and vary in her face.— Joseph Addison

4. To deviate; to depart; to swerve; — followed by from; as, to vary from the law, or from reason. John Locke

5. To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension; as, men vary in opinion.

The rich jewel which we vary for.— Webster (1623).
Va′ry noun

Alteration; change. obsolete William Shakespeare

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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