variable

/ˈvɛriəbəl/

Say it: VAIR-ee-uh-bull

1. adjective Likely to change or vary; not consistent or having a fixed pattern.
The weather in this region is notoriously variable, so pack for both sun and rain.
2. noun In mathematics or science, a factor, quantity, or characteristic that can assume different values.
In the experiment, the amount of water given to the plants was the key variable.
3. noun In computing, a named storage location that holds a value which can be modified during program execution.
The programmer declared a variable called 'score' to keep track of the player's points.
4. adjective Able to be changed or adapted to a different purpose or situation.
The office chairs have variable height settings to accommodate different users.

📖 Seen in the wild

The success of the experiment depended on controlling several variable factors, such as temperature and pressure.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ variable in a sentence

The quality of the coffee at that cafe is highly variable.
In the equation y = 3x + 5, both x and y are variables.
Her mood is quite variable; you never know how she'll be feeling.
The success of the project depends on several external variables we can't control.
The loan comes with a variable interest rate that is tied to the market.
Scientists must control for all other variables to isolate the effect they are studying.
The script failed because the environment variable was not set correctly.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

changeable inconsistent unpredictable fickle fluctuating mutable unstable erratic

changeable · a very close synonym, often used for things that change frequently like weather or moods.

inconsistent · implies a lack of uniformity or regularity, which can be frustrating or unreliable.

unpredictable · focuses on the impossibility of knowing what will happen next.

fickle · typically describes a person who changes their mind or loyalties without good reason.

Opposites: constant, stable, consistent, fixed, unchanging

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'variable' traces back to the Latin word 'variabilis', meaning 'changeable'. It comes from the verb 'variare', which means 'to change' or 'to make different'. It entered English in the late 14th century through Old French, retaining its core Latin sense of something that is not fixed or constant.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

highly variablevariable weathera key variablean independent variablecontrol for a variablea dependent variable

While 'variable' is a common adjective, its noun form is more technical, used mainly in contexts like math, science, and computing. Be careful not to confuse 'variable' with 'various'. 'Variable' means one thing changes (variable temperatures), while 'various' means many different things exist (various temperatures for different planets).

Word family: vary, variation, variability, invariable, invariably

💬 Quick answers

What does 'variable' mean in simple terms?

It means something is able to change or is not always the same. In math or science, it's a symbol for a number we don't know yet or a factor that can change.

What is the difference between a variable and a constant?

They are opposites. A variable is a value that can change, while a constant is a value that is fixed and always stays the same.

Is 'variable' a noun or an adjective?

It can be both. As an adjective, it means 'changeable,' as in 'variable weather.' As a noun, it's a thing that changes, like the 'x' in an algebra problem.

What's the difference between 'variable' and 'various'?

'Variable' describes one thing that changes over time. 'Various' describes a collection of different things that exist at the same time.

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