transitive verb
1
: to make a partial change in : make different in some attribute or characteristic
2
: to make differences between items in : diversify
intransitive verb
1
: to exhibit or undergo change
the sky was constantly varying
3
: to take on successive values
y varies inversely with x
4
: to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for vary
change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different.
change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.
changed the shirt for a larger size
alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.
slightly altered the original design
vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.
modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.
modified the building for use by the disabled
Example Sentences
The terrain varies as you climb higher.
The cost of a room at the hotel varies with the season.
Their services vary depending on the customer.
They’ve tried to improve their procedures, with varying degrees of success.
The diamonds vary in size.
Colors vary from light to dark.
I try to vary my diet by eating different kinds of foods.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Fox’s opinion hosts, who had been broadcasting the Giuliani-Powell Dominion fantasies to varying degrees themselves — some appearing to endorse them outright — had been complaining internally that the news division’s debunking efforts were alienating the core audience.
—
Jim Rutenberg, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2023
However, Ram will offer several trims at varying price points.
—Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 5 Apr. 2023
All eight sensors recorded EEG signals to varying degrees depending on their location and the pressure from the headband, explains Lin.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2023
However, with varying success rates and an average price tag of $15,000 to $30,000 for a single cycle, the fertility treatment can be an expensive gamble or remain completely out of reach for many American couples.
—Chloe Taylor, Fortune Well, 4 Apr. 2023
Oakland will have to plug in spot starters with Fujinami on a one-start-per-week schedule, and regular rotation members will have varying numbers of days between starts.
—Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2023
All around her are enormous boulders in varying shades of gray.
—Ben Huff, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2023
While both referendums carried the same goal, the wording is different to address the varying financial mechanisms of each measure.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2023
Of course, employers have experienced varying degrees of labor shortages, with some industries suffering more than others.
—Dana Peterson, CNN, 4 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘vary.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English varien, borrowed from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French varier, borrowed from Latin variāre «to mark with contrasting colors, give variety to, make changeable,» derivative of varius «having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable,» of uncertain origin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of vary was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near vary
Cite this Entry
“Vary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vary. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
8 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
изменять, изменяться, варьировать, менять, меняться, разнообразить, разниться
глагол ↓
- менять, изменять; вносить изменения
old people not like to vary their habits — пожилые люди не любят менять свои привычки 
- меняться, изменяться
to vary a few minutes one way or the other — колебаться в пределах нескольких минут
to vary directly [inversely] — мат. изменяться прямо [обратно] пропорционально
his mood varies from day to day — его настроение ежедневно меняется
the prices vary with the season — цены зависят от сезона
- (часто from) разниться; расходиться; отклоняться; отличаться
to vary from the type — отклоняться от типа
the second edition varied little from the first — второе издание мало отличалось от первого
the training of engineers varies from sector to sector — подготовка инженеров в различных отраслях различна
opinions vary on this point — мнения по этому вопросу расходятся
witnesses varied from their former depositions — свидетели отошли от своих прежних показаний
as to the date, authors vary — относительно даты авторы расходятся во мнениях
- разнообразить
to vary the men — и разнообразить меню
- муз. писать или исполнять вариации (на тему)
- биол. обладать изменчивостью, изменяться
существительное
- редк. вариант
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
observing how the survival techniques of primates vary with the ambient — наблюдая, как методы выживания приматов варьируются в зависимости от окружающей среды
to vary in a continuous manner — изменяться непрерывно
vary by large amount — изменяться на большую величину
to vary with smth. — меняться в зависимости от чего-л.
to vary in smth. — расходиться в чём-л.
to vary in size — изменяться в размере
to vary considerably / greatly — сильно отличаться
to vary one’s diet — разнообразить диету
to vary by large amount — изменяться на большую величину
vary between — отклоняться; отличаться
vary considerably — значительно изменяться; значительно изменять
Примеры с переводом
The diamonds vary in size.
Алмазы различаются по размерам.
Opinions vary on this point.
Мнения по этому вопросу расходятся.
They vary in their opinions.
У них разные точки зрения.
My doctor said I should vary my diet more.
Мой врач сказал, что мне следует ещё больше разнообразить мой рацион.
Colors vary from light to dark.
Цвета изменяются от светлого до тёмного.
Prices vary from ten to fifteen dollars.
Цены варьируются в пределах от десяти до пятнадцати долларов.
Levels of job satisfaction vary between departments.
Степень удовлетворения от работы различается от отдела к отделу.
ещё 18 примеров свернуть
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
The paints vary in consistency. 
The heights of the plants vary from 8 cm to 20 cm.
Jewelry and clothing fashions vary with the season.
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Возможные однокоренные слова
varan — варан
varied — разнообразный, различный, разный, дифференцированный
various — различный, разный, многие, разнообразный, разносторонний
varment — шалопай, шалун, неприятный человек, вредное животное
varying — изменять, изменяться, варьировать, менять, меняться, разнообразить, разниться
var — предел видимости и слышимости
Формы слова
verb
I/you/we/they: vary
he/she/it: varies
ing ф. (present participle): varying
2-я ф. (past tense): varied
3-я ф. (past participle): varied
- Top Definitions
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- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
verb (used with object), var·ied, var·y·ing.
to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one’s methods.
to cause to be different from something else: The orchestra varied last night’s program with one new selection.
to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify: to vary one’s diet.
Music. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
verb (used without object), var·ied, var·y·ing.
to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.
to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.
to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed by from): to vary from the norm.
Mathematics. to be subject to change.
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Origin of vary
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English varien, from Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) (see various) + -āre infinitive suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM vary
var·i·er, nounvar·y·ing·ly, adverbin·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, adjectiveun·var·y·ing, adjectiveun·var·y·ing·ly, adverb
Words nearby vary
varsity, Varsovian, Varuna, varus, varve, vary, varying hare, vas, vasa murrhina, vasana, Vasarely
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to vary
alter, differ, diverge, diversify, divide, fluctuate, modify, range, alternate, assort, convert, depart, deviate, digress, disagree, displace, dissent, divaricate, inflect, interchange
How to use vary in a sentence
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And, among those who are troubled, the intensity of the reaction will still vary a lot.
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Although it varies depending on the client, Twofivesix tends to focus much more on connecting brands to online gaming communities on Twitch, Reddit and elsewhere.
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Figures vary, but less than 10 percent of all the Champagne imported in America is of the grower Champagne variety.
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Of course, those options vary based on who and where your valentine is.
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The conference’s memo came weeks before many student-athletes must decide whether to enroll for the spring semester, which varies by school, and risk losing a year of eligibility even if they don’t play.
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Not surprisingly, rates for recovery vary enormously, from as low as three percent to upwards of 75 percent.
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Such waivers vary from state to state, and within the same state there can be many types of waivers.
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My tasks vary from marketing to writing a page for a magazine.
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Around Liberia, opinions as to whether the epidemic is slowing vary.
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Although reports vary, it seems that most of the thousand or so soldiers at the base may have been captured or killed.
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Such are most probably given by the essential oils, which vary in amount in different species of the plant.
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They vary greatly in size, being sometimes so small as to seem mere points of light with medium-power objectives.
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They all contain nuclei, and most of them contain granules which vary in size and staining properties.
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Different lots of Wright’s fluid vary, and a few preliminary stains should be made with each lot to learn its peculiarities.
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Pathologically, red corpuscles vary in size and shape, staining properties, and structure.
British Dictionary definitions for vary
verb varies, varying or varied
to undergo or cause to undergo change, alteration, or modification in appearance, character, form, attribute, etc
to be different or cause to be different; be subject to change
(tr) to give variety to
(intr foll by from) to differ, as from a convention, standard, etc
(intr) to change in accordance with another variableher mood varies with the weather; pressure varies directly with temperature and inversely with volume
(tr) music to modify (a theme) by the use of variation
Derived forms of vary
varying, adjectivevaryingly, adverb
Word Origin for vary
C14: from Latin variāre, from varius various
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English varien, from Old French varier, from Latin variō (“to change, alter, make different”), from varius (“different, various”); see various.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈvɛəɹi/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈvɛəɹi/, /ˈvæɹi/, /ˈvɛɹi/
- (Mary–marry–merry distinction)
- (Mary–marry–merry distinction)
- (Mary–marry–merry merger)
- Rhymes: -ɛəɹi
- Homophone: very (accents with the Mary-marry-merry merger)
Verb[edit]
vary (third-person singular simple present varies, present participle varying, simple past and past participle varied)
- (transitive) To change with time or a similar parameter.
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He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.
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1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, John Dryden, transl., De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC:
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We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.
-
-
- (transitive) To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.
-
You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.
- a. 1687, Edmund Waller, to Phyllis
- Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate.
-
- (intransitive) Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.
-
His mood varies by the hour.
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The sine function varies between −1 and 1.
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1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene iii, page 1:
- While fear and anger, with alternate grace, / Pant in her breast, and vary in her face.
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- (of the members of a group, intransitive) To display differences.
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The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.
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1960 February, “The modernisation of Peterborough”, in Trains Illustrated, page 108:
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In the new layout, it is proposed to provide three island platforms with six platform faces varying from 1,075 to 1,290 ft. in length and including bays.
-
-
- (intransitive) To be or act different from the usual.
-
I’m not comfortable with
3.Nc3in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and playexd5.
-
- (transitive) To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate.
- (transitive, music) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation.
- (intransitive, obsolete) To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.
- 1623, John Webster, The Devil’s Law Case
- the rich jewel which we vary for
- 1623, John Webster, The Devil’s Law Case
Synonyms[edit]
- (institute a change in): alter, change; See also Thesaurus:alter
- (not to remain constant): fluctuate
- (display differences): See also Thesaurus:differ
- (make of different kinds): See also Thesaurus:diversify
- (disagree): dissent, take exception
Derived terms[edit]
- varisome
- varisyllabic
Translations[edit]
to institute a change in — see modify
not to remain constant
- Bulgarian: варирам (bg) (variram)
- Catalan: variar (ca)
- Dutch: variëren (nl)
- Finnish: vaihdella (fi)
- French: varier (fr)
- Georgian: ვარირება (varireba), ცვლილება (cvlileba)
- German: verändern (de)
- Latin: variō
- Polish: zmieniać się (pl), zmienić się (pl)
- Portuguese: variar (pt)
- Scottish Gaelic: caochail
- Spanish: variar (es)
- Swedish: variera (sv)
to display difference
- Bulgarian: различавам се (različavam se)
- Dutch: variëren (nl)
- Finnish: vaihdella (fi)
- Polish: różnić się (pl)
- Portuguese: variar (pt)
- Scottish Gaelic: caochail
- Spanish: variar (es)
- Swedish: variera (sv)
Translations to be checked
- Czech: (please verify) různit se
- Danish: (please verify) varierer
- Esperanto: (please verify) varii
- French: (please verify) varier (fr)
- Galician: (please verify) variar (gl)
- German: (please verify) sich ändern, (please verify) variieren (de)
- Mandarin: (please verify) 多變／多变 (zh) (duōbiàn)
- Norwegian: (please verify) Variere
- Spanish: (please verify) variar (es)
- Swedish: (please verify) variera (sv)
Noun[edit]
vary (uncountable)
- (obsolete) alteration; change.
-
c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
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With euery gall, and varry of their Masters,
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-
[edit]
- variability
- variable
- variance
- variant
- variation
- varied
- variety
- various
Further reading[edit]
- vary in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- “vary”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams[edit]
- arvy
Czech[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): [ˈvarɪ]
Noun[edit]
vary
- nominative/accusative/vocative/instrumental plural of var
Malagasy[edit]
Etymology[edit]
- From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bəʀas, from Proto-Austronesian *bəʀas.
- From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pajay (“rice plant”), from Proto-Austronesian *pajay (“rice plant”). Doublet of fary (“sugar cane”). Compare Ma’anyan parei, Javanese pari, Malay padi and Tagalog palay.
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /varʲ/
Noun[edit]
vary
- rice ((raw) seeds used as food)
vary — var‧y [ˈveəri ǁ ˈveri] verb varied PTandPP 1. [intransitive, transitive] if rates, costs, prices etc vary, or something varies them, they change when economic conditions change: • Many professional investors vary the proportions of their… … Financial and business terms
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. [1913 Webster] That each from other differs, first confess; Next, that he varies from… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance, substance,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Vary — is a given name, and may refer to:* Judyth Vary Baker (born 1943), woman who claimed to have an affair with Lee Harvey Oswald * Ralph Vary Chamberlin (1879 1967), American zoologistee also* Variation … Wikipedia
vary — I verb alter, alternate, assort, be inconstant, be unlike, change, contrast, depart, deviate, differ, diverge, diversify, exchange, fluctuate, give variety, innovate, interchange, make a change, make different, modify, mutare, mutate, reorganize … Law dictionary
vary — [ver′ē, var′ē] vt. varied, varying [ME varien < OFr varier < L variare, to vary, change < varius, various, prob. < IE base * wa , to bend, turn > VACILLATE] 1. to change in form, appearance, nature, substance, etc.; alter; modify 2 … English World dictionary
vary — ver ē, var ē vi, var·ied; vary·ing to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form … Medical dictionary
Vary — Va ry, n. Alteration; change. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
vary — (v.) mid 14c. (transitive); late 14c. (intransitive), 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… … Etymology dictionary
vary — 1 * change, alter, modify Analogous words: deviate, diverge, digress, depart (see SWERVE): *transform, metamorphose, convert 2 *differ, disagree, dissent Analogous words: deviate, diverge, digress, depart (see SWERVE): *separate … New Dictionary of Synonyms
vary — [v] change alter, alternate, assort, be unlike, blow hot and cold*, convert, depart, deviate, differ, digress, disagree, displace, dissent, divaricate, diverge, diversify, divide, fluctuate, hem and haw*, inflect, interchange, modify, mutate,… … New thesaurus