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

The APYs are effective as of 07/13/2026, are variable and may change at any time. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Its variable-sweep wings can be adjusted between 20 and 65 degrees, allowing the bomber to operate efficiently at lower speeds and during supersonic flight. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Noun

The two built the models that modern central banks use to stabilize the economy, shifting macro policymakers’ focus from big economic variables like inflation and unemployment to the actual decisions of individuals. — Dario Marino, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

There’s a lot of different variables that come together that prove that Paradise is Paradise in some ways and not in others. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Oct. 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