vary definition | Dictionary.com

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 fol. by from): to vary from the norm.

9.	Mathematics. to be subject to change.

10.	Biology. to exhibit variation.

Origin:
1300–50; ME varien < L variāre, equiv. to vari(us) (see various ) + -āre inf. suffix

Related forms:

var⋅i⋅er, noun

var⋅y⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. modify, mutate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To vary

var·y (vâr'ē, vār'ē)

v. var·ied (-ēd), var·y·ing, var·ies (-ēz)

v. tr.

To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.
To give variety to; make diverse: vary one's diet.
To introduce under new aspects; express in a different manner: vary a musical tempo.

v. intr.

To undergo or show change: The temperature varied throughout the day.
To be different; deviate: vary from established patterns of behavior. See Synonyms at differ.
To undergo successive or alternate changes in attributes or qualities: Foliage varies with the seasons.

[Middle English varien, to undergo change, from Old French varier, from Latin variāre, from varius, various.]
var'y·ing·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Vary

Va"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Varied; p. pr. & vb. n. Varying.] [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? --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. --Waller.

We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies. --Dryden.

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

God hath varied their inclinations. --Sir T. Browne.

God hath here Varied his bounty so with new delights. --Milton.

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

Vary

Va"ry\, v. i. 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. --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. --Addison.

4. To deviate; to depart; to swerve; -- followed by from; as, to vary from the law, or from reason. -- 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).

Vary

Va"ry\, n. Alteration; change. [Obs.] --Shak.

Language Translation for : vary

Spanish: variar,

German: variieren,

Japanese: 異なる

More Translations »

vary

c.1340 (trans.), c.1369 (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").

Main Entry: vary
Pronunciation: 'ver-E, 'var-E
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: var·ied; vary·ing
: to exhibitdivergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form

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.

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