vary
VEH-uh-ree
Vary (verb) means to change or differ, especially over time or from one instance to another. Example: “Opening times vary from shop to shop, so check before you travel.”
verb
1
To change or differ, especially over time or from one instance to another.
"Opening times vary from shop to shop, so check before you travel."
"Prices vary depending on the season."
"Her mood can vary wildly from one hour to the next."
2
To make changes to something; to introduce variety.
"A good cook will vary the spices to keep each meal interesting."
"The teacher likes to vary her lessons with games and short videos."
"Try to vary your workout routine so your body doesn't plateau."
How to use vary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo vary is to change, or to be different from one case to another.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prices vary
results may vary
vary in size
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- varies
- Past tense
- varied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Opening times _____ from shop to shop, so check before you travel.
Etymology
From Old French varier, from Latin variare, "to change, make different," based on varius, "various."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vary
See all rhymes for vary →Frequently asked questions
What does “vary” mean?
The word “vary” means to change or differ, especially over time or from one instance to another. In plain terms, to vary is to change, or to be different from one case to another.
How do you pronounce “vary”?
“Vary” is pronounced VEH-uh-ree (/ˈvɛəɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “vary” in a sentence?
Here is “vary” used in a sentence: “Prices vary depending on the season.”
What is another word for “vary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vary” include change.
What part of speech is “vary”?
“Vary” is a verb.
Where does the word “vary” come from?
The word “vary” comes from Latin. From Old French varier, from Latin variare, "to change, make different," based on varius, "various.".
Is “vary” a common word?
“Vary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “vary” have?
“Vary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change or differ, especially over time or from one instance to another.
What is the difference between vary and change?
Vary means to differ or fluctuate across instances or over time, often implying a range of values. Change is broader and usually describes a single shift from one state to another rather than ongoing variation.
What is the difference between vary and differ?
Vary suggests changing over time or spreading across a range of values. Differ describes being unlike something else at a given moment, so prices vary week to week but two prices differ from each other.
What is the difference between vary and various?
Vary is a verb meaning to change or differ. Various is an adjective meaning several different, so results may vary but there are various results.
What are common phrases that use vary?
Frequent collocations include vary widely, results may vary, and vary from person to person. These all highlight differences across instances rather than a single change.
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