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variable

variable

170 4.2
A number or symbol that can have different values
  • noun
  • /ˈvɛrɪbəl/
  • Specialized
: variable
  • Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables.
  • dependent variable
  • independent variable
  • demographic variables

That's a huge question and there's many more variables to consider.

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Examples

  • In programming, you can assign a value to a variable that can be used later in calculations.

  • The value read by the sensor goes into this variable called sensor value.

  • But we're going to set a variable to a value.

  • You know, money is of course a variable that is going to influence choice.

  • So doing that obviously will treat Y as the variable and hold X constant.

  • There are really two major variables that we can influence.

  • -There were a lot of variables to consider.

  • I understand that, sir, but there are so many variables that come into play in a market like this.

  • Each of these uses is represented by a variable measuring the relative quantity of the use.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Data management included regular data checks on key variables for missing data and inconsistencies.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

var
vsvariable
  • Jargon
2 7.0

A word in computer code that names a place to store data

is the full general term used across mathematics, science, and programming
variable quantity
vsvariable
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A number or amount that can change

is the broader changeable concept used across symbols, code, and science

Antonyms

59 2.7

Stays the same over time

Compounds

independent variable
  • Specialized
3 4.9

A factor you change in an experiment to see its effect

random variable
  • Specialized
3 6.8

A number that can have different values by chance, with a known chance for each value

variable star
  • Specialized
2 6.1

A star that gets brighter and dimmer over time when seen from Earth

dependent variable
  • Specialized
2 5.3

A value measured in an experiment that changes when you change something else

unknown variable
  • Specialized
2 4.6

A letter or sign in an equation that stands for a value you do not know

hidden variable
  • Specialized
1 8.4

An unseen thing that changes the results of an experiment or study

predictor variable
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A number or fact that helps you guess another result

variable quantity
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A number or amount that can change

experimental variable
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A condition or factor that people change on purpose to see effects

stochastic variable
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A number that can take different values by chance, for example a dice roll outcome

1 7.7

A part of a plane with blades you can angle to work better at different speeds

variable resistor
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A part that changes the amount of electric current in a circuit

chance variable
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A number that takes different values by chance in statistics to show random results

Movement where speed changes by different amounts over time

7.1

A type of concrete that has different weight by adding air or light pieces like clay and cork

How Changeable

chaotic
116 4.7
volatile
106 7.0
ever-changing
24 4.3
changing
170 2.4
variable
  • Specialized
170 4.2
stable
467 2.3
fixed
163 1.8

Surface Forms

variable singular
variables plural

Etymology

Variable as a noun also comes from the Latin root vari- meaning 'change', like in vary and variety. In math and science a variable is something that can take different values, so the name means it can 'change'.