vary

verb \ ˈver-ē \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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Examples: vary in a Sentence

Definition of vary

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

play \ˈver-ē-iŋ-lē\ adverb

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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 of vary from the Web

Experience seven ethnically, politically and religiously varied Balkan countries on a 16-day journey that begins in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and ends in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

— anne harnagel, latimes.com, "Journey through the distinctive cultures of Balkan countries," 10 July 2018
Off the court or field, outside of the ring or away from the ice, these sports stars do away with uniforms and team colors and opt for attire more suitable to their varying personalities and tastes.

— jamie lisanti, SI.com, "Fashionable 50," 10 July 2018
Children do blur the boundaries between smart speakers and humans, with varying effects based on their stage of development.

— sue shellenbarger, WSJ, "Alexa: Don’t Let My 2-Year-Old Talk to You That Way," 10 July 2018
The work is estimated to cost about $1.5 million, according to the county, but Kiefer said that number could vary a bit depending on bids from contractors.

— cody boteler, baltimoresun.com, "Relief sewer construction in Academy Heights in the pipeline for November, county says," 10 July 2018
Parkinson's Peer Support Group meets monthly on the second Monday of each month at 10:15 a.m. Topics vary monthly.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 10 July 2018
The one-on-ones fall neatly in line with one another, varying templates of a Bachelorette date.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Bachelorette Season 14, Episode 7 Recap: Becca Picks A Supreme Court Nominee," 10 July 2018
But the 53-year-old Yale Law graduate already has a wealth of experience in other cases of varying political importance and obscurity within the health care industry.

— lev facher, STAT, "Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s pick for court, has left trail of opinions on health care and pharma issues," 10 July 2018
Kylie started the reveal by opening up the palette: a collection of 14 shadows in varying shades of matte and shimmery red, orange, brown, and gold.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Reveals Kylie Cosmetics “Summer” Collection," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vary

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

vary Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.