var·y

[vair-ee] verb, var·ied, var·y·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one's methods.
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)
5.
to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.
6.
to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
7.
to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.
8.
to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed by from ): to vary from the norm.
9.
Mathematics. to be subject to change.
10.
Biology. to exhibit variation.
00:10
Unvarying is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English varien < Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) (see various) + -āre infinitive suffix

Related forms
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

Synonyms
1. modify, mutate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To unvarying
Collins
World English Dictionary
vary (ˈvɛərɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb (foll by from) , varies, varying, varied
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
 
[C14: from Latin variāre, from variusvarious]
 
'varying
 
—adj
 
'varyingly
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

vary
mid-14c. (trans.), late 14c. (intrans.), from O.Fr. varier, from L. variare "change, alter, make different," from varius "varied, different, spotted;" perhaps related to varus "bent, crooked, knock-kneed," and varix "varicose vein," from a PIE base *wer- "high raised spot or other bodily infirmity" (cf.
O.E. wearte "wart," Swed. varbulde "pus swelling," L. verruca "wart").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

vary var·y (vâr'ē, vār'ē)
v. var·ied, var·y·ing, var·ies

  1. To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.

  2. To undergo or show change.

  3. To be different; deviate.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT