noun
Common
variant
VEH-uh-ree-uhnt
Variant (noun) means a form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version. Example: “This recipe is a variant on the classic tiramisu.”
noun
1
A form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version.
"This recipe is a variant on the classic tiramisu."
"The car comes in several trim variants."
"This laptop is a variant of last year's model with a bigger screen."
2
A version of a gene, or of a virus, that differs from the reference form.
"Health officials tracked the spread of the new variant closely."
"Scientists sequenced the virus to find out whether it was a new variant."
"One rare gene variant makes some people more sensitive to caffeine."
adj
1
Differing from a type, norm, or standard; showing variation.
"Several variant spellings of the word exist in old manuscripts."
"The shop sells a variant form of the tool that fits left-handed users."
"Dictionaries often list variant pronunciations next to the main one."
How to use variant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA variant is a slightly different version of something — a word, a gene, a virus, a product — compared to the standard form.
Common pairings
viral variant
genetic variant
variant spelling
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Word forms
- Plural
- variants
- Comparative
- more variant
- Superlative
- most variant
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This recipe is a _____ on the classic tiramisu.
Etymology
From Old French variant, the present participle of Latin variare, "to change." First recorded in English around 1380.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for variant
See all rhymes for variant →Frequently asked questions
What does “variant” mean?
The word “variant” means a form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version. In plain terms, a variant is a slightly different version of something — a word, a gene, a virus, a product — compared to the standard form.
How do you pronounce “variant”?
“Variant” is pronounced VEH-uh-ree-uhnt (/ˈvæɹi.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “variant” in a sentence?
Here is “variant” used in a sentence: “This recipe is a variant on the classic tiramisu.”
What part of speech is “variant”?
Depending on how it is used, “variant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “variant” come from?
The word “variant” dates back to around 1380 and comes from Latin. From Old French variant, the present participle of Latin variare, "to change." First recorded in English around 1380.
Is “variant” a common word?
“Variant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “variant” have?
“Variant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version.
What is the difference between a "variant" and a "mutation"?
In genetics, a "variant" refers to any version of a gene that differs from the reference form, while "mutation" specifically refers to a change that occurs in DNA. All mutations create variants, but not all variants are described as recent mutations, since some are inherited, established differences.
How is "variant" used to describe viruses?
A "variant" of a virus refers to a version that has genetically diverged from the original or reference strain, often through mutation, and may have different characteristics such as transmissibility.
Can "variant" be used outside of science and medicine?
Yes, "variant" broadly describes any form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version, such as a spelling variant of a word or a design variant of a product.
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