: different in some way from others of the same kind
variant strains of a disease
variant points of view
variant spellings [=different ways of spelling a word]
plural variants
1
: something that is different in some way from others of the same kind
A new variant of the disease has appeared.
2
: one of two or more different ways to spell or pronounce a word
regional variants in speech
a spelling variant
Cite this Entry
“Variant.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/variant. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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