adj
Common
variable
VEH-uh-ree-uh-bl
Variable (adj) means Likely to change, or capable of being changed. Example: “Prices at the market are variable, so it pays to check a few stalls.”
adj
1
Likely to change, or capable of being changed.
"Prices at the market are variable, so it pays to check a few stalls."
"Mountain weather is famously variable, shifting from sun to snow in an hour."
"The interest rate on the loan is variable, not fixed."
noun
1
A factor or quantity that can change or take different values.
"When you bake bread, the amount of water is a variable you can adjust."
"Diet is just one variable that affects long-term health."
"In the experiment, temperature was the only variable they changed."
2
In programming, a named storage location that holds a value which can change while a program runs.
"Before you use a variable in the loop, you must give it a starting value."
"The score changes during the game, so we keep it in a variable."
"The script stores the user's name in a variable called `username`."
How to use variable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething variable can change, and a variable (the noun) is a thing — a factor, a quantity, or a piece of stored data — that is allowed to change.
Common pairings
variable rate
variable weather
independent variable
declare a variable
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Word forms
- Plural
- variables
- Comparative
- more variable
- Superlative
- most variable
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Prices at the market are _____, so it pays to check a few stalls.
Etymology
From Old French variable, from Latin variare, "to change," based on varius, "different, varied."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for variable
See all rhymes for variable →Frequently asked questions
What does “variable” mean?
The word “variable” means likely to change, or capable of being changed. In plain terms, something variable can change, and a variable (the noun) is a thing — a factor, a quantity, or a piece of stored data — that is allowed to change.
How do you pronounce “variable”?
“Variable” is pronounced VEH-uh-ree-uh-bl ([ˈvæɹ.i.ə.bl̩] in IPA).
How do you use “variable” in a sentence?
Here is “variable” used in a sentence: “Mountain weather is famously variable, shifting from sun to snow in an hour.”
What is another word for “variable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “variable” include capricious, changeful, fickle, fitful, flexible and fluctuating.
What part of speech is “variable”?
Depending on how it is used, “variable” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “variable” come from?
The word “variable” comes from Latin. From Old French variable, from Latin variare, "to change," based on varius, "different, varied.".
Is “variable” a common word?
“Variable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “variable” have?
“Variable” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: likely to change, or capable of being changed.
What is the difference between variable and constant?
A variable is a factor or quantity that can change or take different values. A constant stays the same and does not change. In maths and science, variables shift while constants are fixed throughout a problem.
What is the difference between variable and invariable?
'Variable' as an adjective means likely to change or capable of being changed. 'Invariable' means the opposite: never changing or fixed. So variable weather keeps shifting, while an invariable routine stays exactly the same.
How is variable used as a noun in maths?
As a noun, a variable is a factor or quantity that can take different values, often shown by a letter such as x or y. It contrasts with a fixed number, because its value can change within a problem. Solving an equation often means finding the value of the variable.
Is variable an adjective or a noun?
'Variable' works as both. As an adjective it describes something likely to change, as in 'variable results.' As a noun it names a quantity that can change, as in 'an unknown variable.'
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