vary

verb \ ˈver-ē \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

See vary defined for English-language learners

See vary defined for kids

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

Over the weekend, fans began sharing photos that featured the couple posing together in varying states of undress in bed, which appear in their On the Run II tour book.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Do Beyoncé and JAY-Z Pose Nude in New On the Run II Tour Book Photos?," 11 June 2018
Media: Brandpoint Small land sales, which vary by region but are generally no bigger than 200 acres except in far west Texas, grew 8.5 percent to 7,588 sales in 2017.

— katherine feser, Houston Chronicle, "Small land tracts along Gulf Coast are fetching bigger prices," 11 June 2018
Starting in infancy, mothers who are breastfeeding should continue to vary their diet, the flavors of which are transferred through her milk supply.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Picky, picky: Strategies to get your kids (or yourself) to try new foods," 11 June 2018
Nationwide, the number of clinics varied drastically by region, including within the Midwest, according to the study, published in May in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

— angie leventis lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "Midwest has fewest abortion clinics per woman than any other region, study says," 11 June 2018
The story begins on a busy night of service at the Beijing Duck House in Rockland, Maryland, where all the main characters, in varying capacities, work.

— elaheh nozari, Bon Appetit, "8 Non-Cookbook Food Books to Read This Summer," 11 June 2018
The two had a productive talk before the game about varying speeds with his fastball.

— paul johnson, Elgin Courier-News, "20-something: Hard-throwing Cougars pitcher Jhoan Duran living up to his potential," 10 June 2018
The antennas sit inside plastic, geodesic radomes of varying sizes.

— laura mallonee, WIRED, "Inside the Arctic Circle, Golden Hour Has Nothing on Golden Day," 8 June 2018
These thoroughbreds complete the series — or compete in one or two races — over the span of just more than a month, with races in varying distances in different states.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "Justify Could Win the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes, But It's a Long Shot. Here's Why," 8 June 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

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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.

- 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

VARY Defined for English Language Learners

vary

verb

Definition of vary for English Language Learners

: to be different or to become different
: to make (something) different : to make changes to (something) so that it is not always the same

VARY Defined for Kids

vary

verb \ ˈver-ē \

Definition of vary for Students

varied; varying

1 : to make a partial change in

He varied the rhythm of the poem.

2 : to make or be of different kinds

She varies her exercise routine.

3 : to show or undergo change

The sky constantly varies.

4 : to differ from the usual members of a group

Medical Dictionary

vary

intransitive verb \ ˈver-ē, ˈvar-ē \

medical Definition of vary

varied; varying

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

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vary

Definition of vary

varyingly

Examples of vary in a Sentence

Recent Examples of vary from the Web

Origin and Etymology of vary

vary Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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VARY Defined for English Language Learners

vary

Definition of vary for English Language Learners

VARY Defined for Kids

vary

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Medical Dictionary

vary

medical Definition of vary

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