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
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 adverb
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 A little more than a hundred are currently on display; thousands more, in varying states of conservation, are shelved in a storage room near the estate’s Christmas decorations. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 Then the pathogens can survive and remain infectious on fomites for varying lengths of time, from a few hours in some cases to several months in others depending on variables related to the pathogen, the fomite and their environmental conditions. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Wilson will likely compete for the starting quarterback job against Kenny Pickett, who has started the past two seasons for Pittsburgh with varying success. Ben Morse, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 The cost varies between $78 and $85 for new enrollments and $70 and $78 for PreCheck renewals, depending on your provider. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Since the company announced the attack on Feb. 21, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers have had varying degrees of difficulty getting paid for their services, with some racking up significant claims backlogs. Tara Bannow, STAT, 8 Mar. 2024 With laws and procedures varying from one EU country to the next, one of the biggest challenges of regulatory work is ensuring that decisions will stand up in court. Stephanie Bodoni, Fortune Europe, 8 Mar. 2024 The amounts vary by district but none is higher than $834. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The offer applies to standard suite styles and varies for the themed and premium suites. Gabe Hauari, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vary was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vary

Cite this Entry

“Vary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vary

verb
ˈver-ē How to pronounce vary (audio)
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 adverb

Medical Definition

vary

intransitive verb
varied; varying
: to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form

More from Merriam-Webster on vary

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