vagary

noun

va·​ga·​ry ˈvā-gə-rē  və-ˈger-ē 

vā-;

also

ˈva-gə-rē 

plural vagaries

: an erratic, unpredictable, or extravagant manifestation, action, or notion

Did you know?

The Wandering History of Vagary

Let’s say, hypothetically, that two roads diverge in a yellow wood. And (also hypothetically) sorry that you cannot travel both, you opt for the grassy one less traveled by. What makes all the difference is the century in which this scenario plays out. In the 16th century, it could be said that you “made a vagary” by wandering off the beaten path. Today you might be said to lead a vagabond lifestyle. Vagabond can be traced to the Latin verb vagārī, meaning “to wander” or “to roam,” and it’s likely that vagary comes from that same source. Nowadays, however, the noun vagary is mostly used in its plural form to refer to changes that are difficult to predict or control; modern vagaries have less to do with wandering, and more to do with unpredictability, such as what one might encounter down a path that lies in leaves no step has trodden black.

Synonyms

• whim

Choose the Right Synonym for vagary

caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire.

caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Examples of vagary in a Sentence

the vagaries of a rather eccentric, elderly lady

Recent Examples on the Web

Both his African heritage and his new exploration of the verisimilitudes and vagaries of New York City life paint the ongoing development of The Watchman, sometimes featured as the key figure as in the monumental portrait, AH! —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

While Jane Austen is best known for skewering the vagaries of romantic love in her novels, there is another, equally complicated and meaningful type of relationship that runs through them, too — that of siblings. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Other PAs are responding to the vagaries of the modern entertainment industry by coming together to unionize. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025

Given the vagaries of pitching at altitude at Coors Field, signing an accomplished veteran pitcher via free agency is unlikely. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps borrowed from Latin vagārī "to wander, roam" — more at vagabond entry 2

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

vagary

noun

va·​ga·​ry ˈvā-gə-rē  və-ˈge(ə)r-ē  -ˈga(ə)r- 

plural vagaries

: an odd or unpredictable idea or happening