vary

verb

ˈver-ē 

varied; varying

transitive verb

1

: to make a partial change in : make different in some attribute or characteristic

2

: to make differences between items in : diversify

intransitive verb

1

: to exhibit or undergo change

the sky was constantly varying

2

: deviate, depart

3

: to take on successive values

y varies inversely with x

4

: to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form

varyingly

ˈver-ē-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• differ
• contrast

Choose the Right Synonym for vary

change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different.

change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

Examples of vary in a Sentence

The terrain varies as you climb higher.

The cost of a room at the hotel varies with the season.

Their services vary depending on the customer.

They've tried to improve their procedures, with varying degrees of success.

The diamonds vary in size.

Colors vary from light to dark.

I try to vary my diet by eating different kinds of foods.

Recent Examples on the Web

College may still matter, but the once direct pipeline from classroom to career is now conditional, varying by major, region, and the strength of a graduate's network. —Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

The timing and intensity of peak foliage vary from year to year, depending on several factors, such as drought conditions, rainfall, temperature, soil content, and the types of trees, as well as cloud cover. —Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025

By the mid-2010s, kratom was a smoke-shop staple, federally legal but largely unregulated, sold in a patchwork of state and local markets where bans and restrictions vary to this day. —Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025

While circumstances vary, there are distinct cases where firms can assist, including platform errors, recommendations from a financial professional, or security failures resulting from hacking. —William Jones, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English varien, borrowed from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French varier, borrowed from Latin variāre "to mark with contrasting colors, give variety to, make changeable," derivative of varius "having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for vary

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

vary

verb

ˈver-ē 

ˈvar-

varied; varying

1

: to make a minor or partial change in

2

: to give variety to

3

: to show or undergo change

4

a

: to be different

b

: to change in bodily structure or function away from what is usual for members of a group

varyingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

vary

intransitive verb

ˈver-ē, ˈvar-ē 

varied; varying

: to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form