vary

/ˈvɛəɹi/

verb 5noun 1

Collocations

(verb.)

ADV

considerably, dramatically, enormously, a great deal, greatly, a lot, markedly, sharply, significantly, substantially, tremendously, widely, wildly

hardly

The price of milk hardly varies from one supermarket to another in our town.

(a) little, slightly, somewhat

constantly, continuously

The price of gas varies constantly depending on global oil markets and supply issues.

never

inevitably, necessarily

The cost of renting an apartment necessarily varies depending on the neighborhood and size of the space.

naturally, obviously

The quality of coffee obviously varies depending on where you buy it.

systematically

accordingly

The prices of plane tickets vary accordingly depending on the season and how far in advance you book.

inversely

Student performance and hours spent playing video games vary inversely throughout the semester.

geographically, historically

The price of houses varies geographically depending on which city you live in.

VERB + VARY

can, may

The quality of service may vary depending on which location you visit.

be likely to, tend to

PREP

according to

The price of coffee varies according to where you buy it in the city.

among

Quality standards vary among different restaurants in the city.

between

The price of coffee varies between five and eight dollars depending on the café.

The price of coffee varies by country, so it costs more in some places than others.

depending on

The time it takes to cook rice will vary depending on the type you choose.

from to

The price of coffee varies from one café to another in the city.

The prices of coffee vary in different cafes across the city.

with

The price of coffee varies with the season and where you buy it.

PHRASES

vary over/with time

Fashion trends vary over time, reflecting changes in society and technology.

Definitions

verb

To change with time or a similar parameter.

He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.

We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.

To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.

You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.

a. 1687, Edmund Waller, to Phyllis Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate.

Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.

His mood varies by the hour.

The sine function varies between −1 and 1.

To display differences.

The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.

In the new layout, it is proposed to provide three island platforms with six platform faces varying from 1,075 to 1,290 ft. in length and including bays.

To be or act different from the usual.

I'm not comfortable with 3.Nc3 in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and play exd5.

noun

alteration; change.

With euery gall, and varry of their Masters,

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — become different in some particular way, without permanently

verb — make something more diverse and varied

verb — be at variance with

Antonyms

conform

Idioms & Phrases

your mileage may vary

It may work differently in your situation, or be different in your experience.

The battery lasts a day in my phone, but your mileage may vary.

Example Bank

He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.

Wiktionary

We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.

Wiktionary

You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.

Wiktionary

With euery gall, and varry of their Masters,

Wiktionary

Wages vary in relation to the age of the worker.

Tatoeba · #19522

Tastes in music vary from person to person.

Tatoeba · #25435

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, vary is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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