variable

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvɛːrɪəb(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change: the quality of hospital food is highly variable awards can be for variable amounts
  • (of a wind) tending to change direction: winds will be light and variable
  • Mathematics (of a quantity) able to assume different numerical values.
  • Botany & Zoology (of a species) liable to deviate from the typical colour or form, or to occur in different colours or forms.
  • 2able to be changed or adapted: the drill has variable speed
  • (of a gear) designed to give varying ratios or speeds.

noun

  • an element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change: there are too many variables involved to make any meaningful predictions
  • Mathematics a quantity which during a calculation is assumed to vary or be capable of varying in value.
  • Computing a data item that may take on more than one value during the runtime of a program.
  • Astronomyshort for variable star.
  • (variables) the region of light, variable winds to the north of the NE trade winds or (in the southern hemisphere) between the SE trade winds and the westerlies.

Derivatives

variability

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪlɪti/
noun

variableness

noun

variably

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin variabilis, from variare (see vary)