## 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
- Numbers & Quantity
- Cause, Change & Process
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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