variable
Able to vary or be varied.
Adjective
- Able to vary or be varied.
- variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity; a variable resistor
Synonyms: alterable flexible changeable mutable abateable dynamic editable inconstant modifiable variable
Antonyms: constant invariable immutable unalterable unchangeable bateless fixed inalterable permanent perma- perpetual unabateable undeviating
- Likely to vary.
- Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. - c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London:...
Synonyms: fickle fluctuating inconstant shifting unstable unsteady up-and-down erratic fluid chaotic instable irregular random rocky variable varying changeable changeful changeling dynamic everchanging labile mobile moody
Antonyms: constant invariable immutable unchangeable consistent equable equal even even-keeled monotonous regular samely stable steady uncheckered uniform unvaried unvarying changeless nonchanging static stationary unaltering unchanging
- Marked by diversity or difference.
Synonyms: varying catholic dishomogeneous diverse diversified eclectic heterogeneous liberal manifold miscellaneous mixed motley multifarious multifold sundry variable varied various
Antonyms: unchanging homogeneous invariable of a piece onefold samely uniform uniformal unmixed unvaried unvarying
- Having no fixed quantitative value.
Antonyms: constant invariable
- Tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.
Synonyms: aberrant
Origin
Borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Old French variable, from Latin variare (“to change”), from varius (“different, various”). Equates to English vary + -able.
Forms
Synonyms
capricious changeful fickle fitful flexible fluctuating fluid iffy inconstant irregular mercurial mobile mutable protean shifting shifty slippery spasmodic temperamental ticklish uncertain unequable unsettled unstable
Derived
continuous variable valve timing controlled variable time multivariable variability variabilize variable antshrike variable binding variable cam timing variable cost variable font variable geometry variable-length array variable neon slug variableness variable squirrel variable sweep variable tandem repeat locus variable valve timing
Noun
- Something that is variable.
Synonyms: changeable
Antonyms: constant invariable
- Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.
- There are several variables to consider here.
- Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such...
Synonyms: parameter
- A quantity that may assume any one of a set of values.
Synonyms: variable quantity
- A symbol representing a variable.
- A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.
- A variable star.
- A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
- Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
Forms
Synonyms
Hyponyms
across variable Algol variable Bernoulli variable Boolean variable bound variable cardinal variable categorical variable Cepheid variable cepheid variable class variable cluster variable confounding variable continuously variable transmission continuous variable control variable dependent variable discrete variable dummy variable environment variable extraneous variable flow variable free variable helium variable hidden variable