variable

1 of 2

adjective

var·​i·​able ˈver-ē-ə-bəl How to pronounce variable (audio)
1
a
: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
variable winds
variable costs
2
: characterized by variations
3
: having the characteristics of a variable
4
: not true to type : aberrant
used of a biological group or character
variability noun
variableness noun
variably adverb

variable

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values
b
: a symbol representing a variable
2
a
: something that is variable
b
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
3

Examples of variable in a Sentence

Adjective The winds were light and variable. The loan has a variable interest rate. Noun unemployment and other economic variables
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
For executives, the variable compensation represents about 90% of their pay. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 So what else might lure a producer to Ireland, besides the tax breaks, quality crew, wealth of homegrown talent and variable terrain? Becky Lucas, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Light and variable wind becoming north at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 The researchers think the variable levels suggest people with different roles ingested mercury in different ways. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 This variable pricing strategy could potentially increase Wendy’s profits, but low-income communities would benefit less. Shaun Harper, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Rainfall totals will probably be rather variable, but most spots should see about 0.25 to 0.5 inches, with a few areas getting an inch. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 But this time the main lens features a stepless variable aperture that automatically adjusts from f/1.63 to f/4.0 to let in the right amount of light. Julian Chokkattu Simon Hill, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024 It’s bolted to an 8 speed electronic CVT continuously variable transmission and sent into an AWD traction control system. Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024
Noun
The report recommended a number of actions the government should take, including limiting training AI models beyond a certain number of computer chips and outlawing the publication of AI model weights, the variables that control an AI model’s output. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Some of the variables that can make or break a fire season are unpredictable. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 But her order has the daily fines continuing indefinitely, and other variables might affect the total. Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Wind gauges help calculate weather variables to line up shots. Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 That correlation, officials stressed, is apparent even when controlling for a student’s family income and other variables. USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 These variables will have a significant bearing on your organization’s security plan. Rom Hendler, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Peerless at analyzing huge amounts of data, AI is aptly suited to help port terminal managers plan and orchestrate in real-time the many changeable variables involved in container management. Susan Galer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The age of the parents or donors is the most important variable. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'variable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin variābilis "changeable," from Latin variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -ābilis -able

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of variable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near variable

Cite this Entry

“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective
vari·​able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl,
ˈvar-
1
: able to change : likely to be changed
variable winds
2
: having the characteristics of a variable
3
: not true to the usual or normal type
a variable species of wheat
variability noun
variableness
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs
ˈvar-
noun
variably
-blē
adverb

variable

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a quantity that may take on any one of a set of values
b
: a mathematical symbol representing a variable
2
: something that is variable
3
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
controlled all variables except temperature

Medical Definition

variable

1 of 2 adjective
1
: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
allergy is perhaps the most variable of all diseasesH. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde
2
: characterized by variations
3
: not true to type : aberrant
used of a biological group or character
variability noun
plural variabilities

variable

2 of 2 noun
: something that is variable

More from Merriam-Webster on variable

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