variable

1 of 2

adjective

var·​i·​able ˈver-ē-ə-bəl 

1

a

: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes

variable winds

variable costs

b

: fickle, inconstant

2

: characterized by variations

3

: having the characteristics of a variable

4

: not true to type : aberrant

—used of a biological group or character

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

variableness

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs 

noun

variably

ˈver-ē-ə-blē 

adverb

variable

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values

b

: a symbol representing a variable

2

a

: something that is variable

b

: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change

3

: variable star

Synonyms

Adjective

• adaptable
• adjustable
• alterable
• changeable
• elastic
• flexible
• fluid
• malleable
• modifiable
• pliable

Examples of variable in a Sentence

Adjective

The winds were light and variable.

The loan has a variable interest rate.

Noun

unemployment and other economic variables

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The use of flow, variable rhythms, and the subversion of rhyme and poetic form align with the documentary-like execution in underground cinema. —Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025

This includes a base dividend, an allocation of $500 million to pay down debt, plans to utilize additional free cash flow for variable dividends, and further balance sheet strengthening. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 22 May 2025

Noun

Another determinative variable would be how quickly rival countries will seize the opportunity to attract disillusioned investors with favorable tax regimes and strategic incentives. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

There are a lot of variables that go into the mix between the physical maturity, the offensive tools, the character and the body of work can comprise over 100 games at varying levels of competition with different levels of stakes. —Corey Pronman, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin variābilis "changeable," from Latin variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -ābilis -able

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing variable

• dependent variable
• dummy variable
• gram-variable
• independent variable
• random variable
• variable rate mortgage
• variable star

Rhymes for variable

• invariable
• multivariable

Kids Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective

vari·​able

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl,

ˈvar-

1

: able to change : likely to be changed

variable winds

2

: having the characteristics of a variable

3

: not true to the usual or normal type

a variable species of wheat

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

variableness

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs

ˈvar-

noun

variably

-blē

adverb

variable

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a quantity that may take on any one of a set of values

b

: a mathematical symbol representing a variable

2

: something that is variable

3

: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change

controlled all variables except temperature

Medical Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective

vari·​able ˈver-ē-ə-bəl, ˈvar- 

1

: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes

allergy is perhaps the most variable of all diseases

—H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde

2

: characterized by variations

3

: not true to type : aberrant

—used of a biological group or character

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē, ˌvar- 

noun

plural variabilities

variable

2 of 2 noun

: something that is variable