i 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
Vary
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
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), 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
Synonyms
1. modify, mutate.
1. modify, mutate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To vary
Collins
World English Dictionary
vary (ˈvɛərɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —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 varius | |
| '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
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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.
O.E. wearte "wart," Swed. varbulde "pus swelling," L. verruca "wart").
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.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
There are fees for calls that vary by minute and minutes are usually sold in a package.
State legislatures also vary on session length and staff support.
The effect on prices will vary according to the commodity.
Actual value may vary based on airfare fluctuations and distance between departure and destination.
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