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variable

variable

67 3.6
Able to change in different situations
  • adjective
  • /ˈvɛrɪbəl/
translation icon : variable
  • It's good value, but refueling at Bogotá is variable.
  • highly variable
  • variable over time
  • variable width

But the point is that it's, it's a highly variable grouping of instances.

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Examples

  • Given the combination of her physical appeal and variable nature, Criseida ultimately comes to embody Fortune herself.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The blackbird damage in the WCSPs was highly variable, ranging from 0% to 100%.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But the fact that it's a little variable here is part of the problem.

  • It tells us how variable that return is likely to be.

  • Your job is just much more variable than the hammering job.

  • And so policy is less variable, more predictable.

  • Variable cloudiness with a chance of rain in the higher regions.

  • The weather can be quite variable, with sudden changes in temperature and conditions.

  • Her mood was variable, shifting from happiness to sadness within a short time.

  • When working with human subjects, results can be variable due to individual differences.

Synonyms

adjustable
vsvariable
35 3.4

Can be changed to fit different people or things

is broader, meaning not fixed rather than being changed for a specific purpose
changeable
vsvariable
8 3.5

Able to become different or not stay the same

is about ability to be changed rather than an active tendency to change
mutable
vsvariable
3 7.7

Likely to change often

is able to change but does not imply ease or quickness
alterable
vsvariable
1 4.2

Able to be changed

is about things that show real inconsistency or change rather than mere potential
varying
vsvariable
3.4

Different in size, amount, level or kind

refers to ability to change rather than describing differing instances

Antonyms

constant
  • Specialized
37 4.2

A value that does not change in math or science

1 5.5

Not changing and always the same in every situation

Compounds

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

independent variable
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A factor you change in an experiment to see its effect

random variable
  • Specialized
2 6.8

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

unknown variable
  • Specialized
1 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

chance variable
  • Specialized
7.9

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

experimental variable
  • Specialized
4.9

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

Movement where speed changes by different amounts over time

predictor variable
  • Specialized
6.7

A number or fact that helps you guess another result

stochastic variable
  • Specialized
9.1

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

7.1

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

variable quantity
  • Specialized
5.4

A number or amount that can change

variable resistor
  • Specialized
5.3

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

7.7

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

How Variable

volatile
77 7.0
inconstant
2 7.5
changeable
8 3.5
variable
67 3.6
stable
473 2.3
fixed
1.8

Surface Forms

variable positive
variabler comparative
variablest superlative

Morphology

variable = vary (transparent) = vari + able

The word is transparently built from the base idea of 'vary' plus the productive adjective suffix '-able'.

Etymology

Variable comes from the Latin root vari- meaning 'change' and shares the same root as vary and variety. So a variable thing is one that can change or be changed.