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variability

variability

29 5.7
The amount that something changes over time or between things
  • noun
  • /ˌvɛrɪəˈbɪləti/
translation icon : variabilidad
  • Scientists are studying the variability in test scores among different student groups.
  • variability index
  • climate variability
  • great variability

So there's a tremendous variability from person to person.

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Examples

  • Our results illustrate the spatial and temporal variability of HT activity and its physical characteristics.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There was considerable variability in hospital ego networks, as can be seen in Figure 2.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But there is relatively substantial variability between people in sleep need.

  • Why is there such variability in how people have a preference for when they sleep?

  • However, studies on countries with a greater variability in levels of urbanization could yield different results.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A notable aspect of our study is the variability in adjusted rates of major injuries between sites.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There's an amazing amount of variability in both diets.

  • We've got the veins and veins show a great deal of variability between individuals.

  • A serial PEF diary is appropriate for demonstrating diurnal variability in a person with suspected asthma.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The variability in weather patterns makes it difficult to predict the forecast.

Synonyms

flexibility
vsvariability
153 3.6

Ability to change plans or actions easily to fit new situations

is the trait of inconsistency rather than choice or readiness to adapt
variation
vsvariability
113 3.0

A change in amount or condition from what is normal

is the overall inconsistency quality not single changes or differences
fluctuation
vsvariability
76 6.3

A change in level or amount that goes up and down over time

is the basic quality of inconsistency rather than repeated up and down changes
volatility
vsvariability
  • Specialized
49 7.1

How likely a person, situation, or market is to change quickly and unexpectedly

is general inconsistency not necessarily rapid unpredictable or worse change
variance
vsvariability
18 5.5

A difference from what is usual or expected

is the general tendency to vary rather than a single measured difference
adaptability
vsvariability
11 3.9

Being able to change and work well in new situations

is broader inconsistency rather than purposeful adjustment to situations
fluidity
vsvariability
8 5.0

How easily someone or something changes to fit new situations

is about not staying the same rather than smooth adaptable change
mutability
vsvariability
1 8.4

Being able to change often or easily

is the idea of inconsistency rather than mere potential to change
unevenness
vsvariability
1 5.1

A state in which something is not level or smooth

is about changing and inconsistency rather than physical or surface irregularity
adjustability
vsvariability
1 3.8

How easy it is to change something to fit different needs

is the general quality of inconsistency rather than designed ease of change
changeability
vsvariability
1 4.6

How often or easily something becomes different, for example the weather

is about not staying the same rather than ease of being changed
shiftiness
vsvariability
1 7.9

A movement that changes direction or strength and is hard to predict

is the neutral idea of not staying the same rather than sly unpredictability
changefulness
vsvariability
  • Archaic
7.5

How often something becomes different, like the weather

is the quality of being inconsistent rather than a specific tendency
variableness
vsvariability
7.2

A quality of changing often, like rain or mood

is the broader sense of not staying the same rather than a state
changeableness
vsvariability
7.6

A quality of becoming different often and without warning

is the general inconsistency idea without stressing speed or frequency
mutableness
vsvariability
9.9

A quality of being able to change

is a general inconsistency concept not limited to capability alone
alterability
vsvariability
7.2

The ability to change

is the broader quality of not staying the same rather than ability to alter
flexibleness
vsvariability
3.9

The ability to change to fit new situations

is the general not staying same idea rather than practical pliability
dynamicity
vsvariability
8.1

Ability to change or adapt quickly

is simple inconsistency not necessarily energetic or progressive change

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

4 5.3

A steady loyalty to someone or something over time

A state when something stays the same over time

How Variable

volatility
  • Specialized
49 7.1
instability
114 5.1
variability
29 5.7
consistency
77 3.2

Surface Forms

variability singular
variabilities plural

Morphology

variability = variable (transparent) = variable + ity

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'variable' with '-ity'; the meaning 'the quality of being variable' is directly derived.

Etymology

The word variability comes from the root vari- which means 'to change' and is the same root as the everyday words vary and variable. So, variability is the fact of changing or not staying the same.