variable

1 of 3

adjective

var·​i·​able ˈver-ē-ə-bəl 

1

a

: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes

variable winds

variable costs

b

: fickle, inconstant

2

: characterized by variations

3

: having the characteristics of a variable

4

: not true to type : aberrant

—used of a biological group or character

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

variableness

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs 

noun

variably

ˈver-ē-ə-blē 

adverb

variable

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values

b

: a symbol representing a variable

2

a

: something that is variable

b

: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change

3

: variable star

variability

3 of 3

noun (2)

var·​i·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌverēəˈbilətē 

ˌva(a)r-, 

ˌvār-, 

-lətē, 

-i

1

: the quality or fact of being variable or subject to variation : variableness

apparently unlimited variability of individual behavior

—Edward Sapir

free intellectual variability which is the source of genuine progress in science

—M. R. Cohen

2

: the quality or attribute of animals and plants that causes them to exhibit variation : the ability to vary from whatever cause compare variation sense 6a

3

: dispersion sense 2a

Synonyms of variable

Adjective

• adjustable
• adaptable
• flexible

Examples of variable in a Sentence

Adjective

The winds were light and variable.

The loan has a variable interest rate.

Noun (1)

unemployment and other economic variables

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Unlike traditional software, where the cost of running a task is relatively predictable, agents can take different paths to the same result, making costs highly variable. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

According to Tianmushan Laboratory, future versions will require a variable-cycle propulsion system capable of supporting both supersonic and subsonic flight efficiently. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

Noun

In the digital asset market in particular, where the competitive landscape shifts rapidly, no model fully captures every variable. — Andrei Grachev, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

With just a few more steps, the group turned the approximation of the surface into an explicit equation and, ultimately, a family of polynomials with degree-23 (meaning the variable climbs to x23 and there are 23 roots to shuffle around). — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin variābilis "changeable," from Latin variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -ābilis -able

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing variable

• dependent variable
• dummy variable
• gram-variable
• independent variable
• random variable
• variable rate mortgage
• variable star

Rhymes for variable

• invariable
• multivariable

Kids Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective

vari·​able

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl, 

ˈvar-

1

: able to change : likely to be changed

variable winds

2

: having the characteristics of a variable

3

: not true to the usual or normal type

a variable species of wheat

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

variableness

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs, 

ˈvar-

noun

variably

-blē

adverb

variable

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a quantity that may take on any one of a set of values

b

: a mathematical symbol representing a variable

2

: something that is variable

3

: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change

controlled all variables except temperature

Medical Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective

vari·​able ˈver-ē-ə-bəl, ˈvar- 

1

: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes

allergy is perhaps the most variable of all diseases

—H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde

2

: characterized by variations

3

: not true to type : aberrant

—used of a biological group or character

variability

ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē, ˌvar- 

noun

plural variabilities

variable

2 of 2 noun

: something that is variable