variable

[ vair-ee-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. apt or liable to vary or change; changeable: variable moods.

   variable weather;

   variable moods.

   Antonyms: constant

2. capable of being varied or changed; alterable:

   a variable time limit for completion of a book.

3. inconstant; fickle:

   a variable lover.

   Synonyms: mercurial, unsteady, vacillating

   Antonyms: constant

4. having much variation or diversity.
5. Biology. deviating from the usual type, as a species or a specific character.
6. Astronomy. (of a star) changing in brightness.
7. Meteorology. (of wind) tending to change in direction.
8. Mathematics. having the nature or characteristics of a variable.

noun

1. something that may or does vary or change; a variable feature or factor.
2. Mathematics, Computers.
   1. a quantity or function that may assume any given value or set of values.
   2. a symbol that represents this.
3. Logic. (in the functional calculus) a symbol for an unspecified member of a class of things or statements. Compare bound variable, free variable.
4. Astronomy. variable star.
5. Meteorology.
   1. a shifting wind, especially as distinguished from a trade wind.
   2. variables, doldrums ( def 2a ).

variable

/ ˈvɛərɪəbəl /

adjective

1. liable to or capable of change

   variable weather

2. (of behaviour, opinions, emotions, etc) lacking constancy; fickle
3. maths having a range of possible values
4. (of a species, characteristic, etc) liable to deviate from the established type
5. (of a wind) varying its direction and intensity
6. (of an electrical component or device) designed so that a characteristic property, such as resistance, can be varied

   variable capacitor

noun

1. something that is subject to variation
2. maths
   1. an expression that can be assigned any of a set of values
   2. a symbol, esp x, y, or z, representing an unspecified member of a class of objects, numbers, etc See also dependent variable independent variable
3. logic a symbol, esp x, y, z, representing any member of a class of entities
4. computing a named unit of storage that can be changed to any of a set of specified values during execution of a program
5. astronomy See variable star
6. a variable wind
7. plural a region where variable winds occur

variable

/ vâr′ē-ə-bəl /

1. A mathematical quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values, such as x in the expression 3 x + 2.
2. A factor or condition that is subject to change, especially one that is allowed to change in a scientific experiment to test a hypothesis.
3. See more at control

Derived Forms

• ˌvariaˈbility, noun
• ˈvariably, adverb

Other Words From

• var·i·a·bil·i·ty [vair-ee-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], var·i·a·ble·ness noun
• var·i·a·bly adverb
• hy·per·var·i·a·ble adjective
• hy·per·var·i·a·bly adverb
• non·var·i·a·ble adjective
• non·var·i·a·ble·ness noun
• non·var·i·a·bly adverb
• un·var·i·a·ble adjective
• un·var·i·a·ble·ness noun
• un·var·i·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of variable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Latin variābilis, equivalent to vari(us) “speckled, variegate, diverse” + -ābilis adjective suffix; various, -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of variable¹

C14: from Latin variābilis changeable, from variāre to diversify

Example Sentences

Scientists do things they’ve already done, and do them over and over again, changing one tiny variable at a time.

From Slate

It means changing the parameters of that test one variable at a time, trying to get from correlation to causation.

From Slate

“The beauty of working in this industry is that your income is variable, so it allows you to think you have an opportunity to not be poor if you work hard enough,” Gayns said.

From Salon

Sano confirmed that Echoes of Wisdom uses a variable frame rate, and that the developers felt this was the "best option" available.

From BBC

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said access to services was variable.

From BBC

Related Words

• fickle
• fluctuating
• volatile