vary

Formsvaries, varying, varied

1. 1
   verbintransitive

   To not remain constant, but to change with time or a similar factor.

   Temperatures vary considerably throughout the day.

   The signal strength varied as the train moved through tunnels.

   Similarfluctuate, change, shift, alter

2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To show differences from one instance to another.

   Survey responses vary widely across age groups.

   The fruit's flavor varies depending on where it is grown.

   Similardiffer, range, diverge

3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To be or behave differently from what is usual.

   On weekends he likes to vary from his weekday habits.

   Her teaching style varies whenever the class grows restless.

   Similardeviate, depart, diverge, stray, change

   Oppositeconform

   Note

   Chess players use the verb this way. To vary is to leave the expected line and play something else, as when a player avoids 3.Nc3 in the Caro-Kann and plays exd5 instead. The verb stands alone, with no object, and the usual course it departs from is understood. When the norm is named, English adds from, as in vary from one's weekday habits.

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To make a change in something from its current state, to modify it.

   The manager chose to vary the staffing levels during busy periods.

   Engineers varied the pressure to test the valve's limits.

   Similaralter, change, modify, adjust

   Oppositemaintain, fix

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To change something over time or according to a similar factor.

   Gardeners vary their watering schedule as the temperature climbs.

   The factory varied output across the year to match demand.

   Similaradjust, change, alter, modify, adapt

   Oppositemaintain, fix

   Note

   The root of the whole family: Middle English varien, through Old French varier, from Latin variō, "to change, alter, make different", itself from varius, "different, various". In this use the verb takes an object, and the change follows a time or setting. Dryden's translation of du Fresnoy's De Arte Graphica (1695) would "vary the customs according to the time and country." Compare the intransitive use, where the thing changes by itself.

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To make things of different kinds, different from one another, to diversify.

   Skilled hosts vary the seating to mix up the conversation.

   The designer varied the patterns from room to room.

   Similardiversify, alternate, mix, change

   Oppositestandardize

   Note

   Here the verb stays closest to its Latin parent, variō, from varius, "different, various": to vary things this way is to make them various. Its object is a set whose members are made unlike one another, as when Milton's God "Varied his bounty so with new delights" in Paradise Lost (1667). Contrast the "modify" meaning, where a single thing is altered from its current state.

7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To embellish a melody, changing it fancifully and presenting it in new forms, keys, or rhythms.

   The performer chose to vary the theme with delicate ornaments.

   Mozart varied the simple folk tune across a dozen inventive passages.

   Similarembellish, ornament, elaborate, develop

   Note

   The composer's sense, and the one behind the musical form called variation. A theme is stated, then varied through changes of key, measure or ornament while it stays recognizable. The verb takes the theme as its object, and the results are variations on it. In everyday speech, varying a tune simply means changing it. In music, it names a deliberate craft.

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