variable

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US [ˈvæɹ.i.ə.bl̩] UK [ˈvɛə.ɹi.ə.bl̩] See IPA manual

Freq #20053

Meanings

1

adj
Likely to change or able to change.

Rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable from year to year.
2

adj
Designed so that an amount or setting can be adjusted.

This fan has a variable speed control.
3

noun
Something that can change and that may affect a result.

There are several variables to consider before we make a decision.
4

noun
In maths, a symbol such as x or y that stands for a quantity that can change.

In the equation, x is the variable you need to solve for.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · likely to change or able to... changeable changeful fluctuating fluid inconstant irregular

2 adj · designed so that an amount... adjustable alterable flexible modifiable

3 noun · something that can change... parameter

More capricious fickle fitful iffy mercurial mobile

Word family

Forms variablenessvariables

Derived forms microvariablemultivariablevariabilityvariabilizevariablenessvariablyvary

Related forms argument unsteadyvariate

Appears in

Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Old French variable, from Latin variare (“to change”), from varius (“different, various”). Equates to English vary + -able.

variable Old French variare Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# variable

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** [ˈvæɹ.i.ə.bl̩]
**IPA (UK):** [ˈvɛə.ɹi.ə.bl̩]
**Frequency rank:** 20053

## Meanings
1. Likely to change or able to change.
2. Designed so that an amount or setting can be adjusted.
3. Something that can change and that may affect a result.
4. In maths, a symbol such as x or y that stands for a quantity that can change.

## Examples
- Rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable from year to year.
- This fan has a variable speed control.
- There are several variables to consider before we make a decision.
- In the equation, x is the variable you need to solve for.

## Synonyms
- capricious
- changeful
- fickle
- fitful
- flexible
- fluctuating
- fluid
- iffy
- inconstant
- irregular
- mercurial
- mobile

## Derived Forms
- microvariable
- multivariable
- variability
- variabilize
- variableness
- variably
- vary

## Related Forms
- argument
- unsteady
- variate

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: variable
- Root: variare

## Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Old French variable, from Latin variare (“to change”), from varius (“different, various”). Equates to English vary + -able.

## AI Etymology
Variable was borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Old French variable, from Latin variare (“to change”), from varius (“different, various”). Equates to English vary + -able. The historical chain includes variable (Old French) and variare (Latin). The surrounding word family includes derived forms such as microvariable, multivariable, variability, and variabilize and related forms such as argument, unsteady, and variate. In present use it covers likely to change or able to change, designed so that an amount or setting can be adjusted, and something that can change and that may affect a result.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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variable

Meanings

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Phrases (3)

Etymology

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