vary

verb \ ˈver-ē \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 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

Fulmer and Castellanos, two of the team’s most productive players, have varying degrees of value.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer, Nick Castellanos swirling in trade rumors," 13 July 2018
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in nine states and the District of Columbia, and 31 states allow medical marijuana in varying degrees.

— author: lornet turnbull, katie zezima, Anchorage Daily News, "When marijuana is legal in Canada, Americans are expected to flock. But the border, and US law, stands in the way.," 11 July 2018
Each of them, with varying degrees of success, made persistent efforts to sway voters from the opposition party.

— gilbert garcia, San Antonio Express-News, "O’Rourke’s hopes hinge on persuasion as well as turnout," 7 July 2018
The bus appears to be a total loss and as many as 15 vehicles exhibited varying degrees of damage.

— john hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "Burning Steamship Authority bus damages cars in Falmouth parking lot," 7 July 2018
In all, 30 names are mentioned with varying degrees of legend. 9.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "The 10 best songs about baseball," 6 July 2018
Arizona is just one of several clubs that have expressed varying degrees of interests, and that could change from day to day.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles hope to move Manny Machado soon, but market doesn't seem to be budging," 6 July 2018
But the Yanks, Red Sox, Mariners, A’s, Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Brewers, Cubs, Cardinals, Rockies and Giants could all, to varying degrees, really use an extra hand on the starting staff for the stretch run and any potential postseason series.

— ted berg, For The Win, "Why it probably makes sense for the Mets to trade Jacob deGrom," 6 July 2018
The two weeks she was hospitalized in Spain, Dunn said, were categorized by varying degrees of care.

— caitlin keating, PEOPLE.com, "Arizona College Student Paralyzed During Spain Vacation Opens Up About Her 'Living Nightmare'," 6 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.