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

Combined with the device’s 360-degree hinge, the dual 120Hz touch displays with variable refresh rate support and wide color coverage make this a joy for content creators and media pros. —PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025

Control effort in 2024 continued at pre-pandemic levels, but elevated and variable adult sea lamprey abundances should be expected over the next year or two before turning back downward. —Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Noun

As these emergency travelers make short-notice decisions on when to go, where to stay and when to return, hoteliers are juggling more variables than usual. —Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Health equity requires a broader approach — one that recognizes and acts on the importance of real life variables like access to nutritious food, stable housing, and transportation. —Ann Marie P. Mauro, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 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

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