variation
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for variation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A change, or the act of changing, in the form, amount, or quality of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use variation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French variacion, from Latin variatio, from variare, "to vary, to change."
Full origin of variation →Frequently asked questions
What does “variation” mean?
The word “variation” means a change, or the act of changing, in the form, amount, or quality of something. In plain terms, variation is difference or change — whether in temperature, in a recipe, or in a piece of music built around a repeated theme.
How do you pronounce “variation”?
“Variation” is pronounced veh-uh-rih-AYSHN (/ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “variation” in a sentence?
Here is “variation” used in a sentence: “There's a lot of variation in prices between the two supermarkets.”
What part of speech is “variation”?
“Variation” is a noun.
Where does the word “variation” come from?
The word “variation” comes from Latin. From Old French variacion, from Latin variatio, from variare, "to vary, to change.".
Is “variation” a common word?
“Variation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “variation” have?
“Variation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a change, or the act of changing, in the form, amount, or quality of something.
What is the difference between "variation" and "variety"?
"Variation" is a change or difference in something — variation in temperature, for example — or a version that differs from the original. "Variety" is a range of different things ("a wide variety of options") or a particular type of something, such as a variety of tomato.
What is the difference between "variation" and "variant"?
A variant is the differing form itself — a spelling variant, or a variant of a virus. "Variation" names the process or degree of differing ("seasonal variation") and can also mean a differing version, which is where the two words overlap.
What is genetic variation?
Genetic variation is the difference in inherited characteristics among individuals of the same species. It applies the core sense of variation — a difference in form or quality — to genes and traits within a population.