Nearby Words
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.
EXPANDMathematics. to be subject to change.
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Vary
is always a great word to know.
So is quarter rest. Does it mean:
| rest equal in time value to a quarter note |
| rest equal in time value to a sixteenth note |
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English varien < Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) (see various) + -āre infinitive suffix
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), -var·ied, -var·y·ing.
o·ver·var·y, verb, -var·ied, -var·y·ing.
self-var·y·ing, adjective
EXPANDSynonyms
1. modify, mutate.
1. modify, mutate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To vary
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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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.
EXPANDO.E. wearte "wart," Swed. varbulde "pus swelling," L. verruca "wart").
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
vary var·y (vâr'ē, vār'ē)
v. var·ied, var·y·ing, var·ies
To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.
To undergo or show change.
To be different; deviate.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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