A variation on something is the same thing presented in a slightly different form.
This delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare. [+ on]
Many theories on punishment exist, all of which are variations on a theme.
Synonyms: alternative, variety, modification, departure More Synonyms of variation
2. variable noun
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
The survey found a wide variation in the prices charged for canteen food. [+ in]
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of cold ham.
Synonyms: variety, change, deviation, difference More Synonyms of variation
More Synonyms of variation
variation in British English
(ˌvɛərɪˈeɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act, process, condition, or result of changing or varying; diversity
2.
an instance of varying or the amount, rate, or degree of such change
3.
something that differs from a standard or convention
4. music
a.
a repetition of a musical theme in which the rhythm, harmony, or melody is altered or embellished
b.
(as modifier)
variation form
5. biology
a.
a marked deviation from the typical form or function
b.
a characteristic or an organism showing this deviation
6. astronomy
any change in or deviation from the mean motion or orbit of a planet, satellite, etc, esp a perturbation of the moon
7. another word for magnetic declination
8. ballet
a solo dance
9. linguistics
any form of morphophonemic change, such as one involved in inflection, conjugation, or vowel mutation
Derived forms
variational (ˌvariˈational)
adjective
variationally (ˌvariˈationally)
adverb
variation in American English
(ˌvɛriˈeɪʃən; ˌ væriˈeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a.
the act, fact, or process of varying; change or deviation in form, condition, appearance, extent, etc. from a former or usual state, or from an assumed standard
b.
the degree or extent of such change
2.
declination (sense 3)
3.
a thing that is somewhat different from another of the same kind
4. Astronomy
a change in or deviation from the mean motion or orbit of a planet, satellite, etc.
5. Ballet
a solo dance
6. Biology
a.
a deviation from the usual or parental type in structure or form
b.
an organism showing such deviation
7. Ancient Mathematics
the manner in which two or more quantities change relative to one another
8. Music
the repetition of a theme or musical idea with changes or embellishments in harmony, rhythm, key, etc., esp. any of a series of such repetitions developing a single theme
Derived forms
variational (ˌvariˈational)
adjective
Word origin
ME variacion < OFr < L variatio
COBUILD Collocations
variation
endless variation
regional variation
slight variation
subtle variation
wide variation
Examples of 'variation' in a sentence
variation
They all offered variations on a theme.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Of equal concern is the regional variation in spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Luckily he's brilliant at it, a rich source of variations on a theme.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
There is a wide variation in how much sleep each of us needs.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
The study found slight variations between countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is massive variation in that amount.
The Sun (2009)
There are many regional and national variations on these dishes.
Wood, Katie Cheap Eats Guide to Europe 1994 (1993)
This combination works in all manner of guises and there are many variations on similar themes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
These genetic variations are clearly of no benefit to it.
The Sun (2011)
There are a range of existing variations within the tenure.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
In all of these changes local variation is considerable.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
He puzzles at the fuss made over what seem to him slight variations of commonplace experience.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The question of why there are such glaring regional variations prompts numerous theories.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So here is an interesting variation on that theme.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These genetic variations are beneficial and will help that seal and its descendants to survive and thrive.
The Sun (2011)
English spelling is difficult because syllable sounds change with the variation of stress.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
New research points to wide variations in intelligence between breeds but also within them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This overall amount disguises large variations.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The cultural and educational diversity of most societies ensures that there will be considerable variation in the forms of thought employed by or available to actors.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
It is interesting that there is a great deal of variation in the position of the superior temporal line in present-day humans.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
This position is a variation from the Evans Gambit.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
variation
ballet
In other languages
variation
British English: variation NOUN
A variation on something is the same thing presented in a slightly different form.
This delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare.
American English: variation
Brazilian Portuguese: variação
Chinese: > 略有变化的形式某一事物
European Spanish: variación
French: variation
German: Variation
Italian: variante
Japanese: バリエーション
Korean: ~의 변형
European Portuguese: variação
Latin American Spanish: variación
All related terms of 'variation'
free variation
a relation between the members of a pair of phones , phonemes , morphs, or other linguistic entities such that either of the two may occur in the same position with no change in the meaning of the utterance : in the first syllable of “ economics ,” “e” and “ē” are in free variation
grid variation
the angle between grid north and magnetic north at a point on a map or chart
wide variation
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
endless variation
A variation on something is the same thing presented in a slightly different form.
magnetic variation
the angle that a compass needle makes with the direction of the geographical north pole at any given point on the earth's surface
regional variation
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
seasonal variation
season-related variation
slight variation
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
subtle variation
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
coefficient of variation
a measure of the relative variation of distribution independent of the units of measurement ; the standard deviation divided by the mean , sometimes expressed as a percentage
price variation clause
a clause in a contract allowing the seller to vary the selling price under certain conditions
Chinese translation of 'variation'
variation
(vɛərɪˈeɪʃən)
n
(c/u) (in price, level, amount) 变(變)动(動) (biàndòng)
(c)[of plot, musical theme etc]变(變)化 (biànhuà)
1 (noun)
Definition
something presented in a slightly different form
This delicious variation on an omelette is easy to prepare.
Synonyms
alternative
variety
modification
Relatively minor modifications were required.
departure
This album is a considerable departure from her previous work.
innovation
technological innovations of the industrial age
variant
The device is a variant of a conventional phone.
2 (noun)
Definition
a change in level, amount, or quantity
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.
Synonyms
variety
people who like variety in their lives and enjoy trying new things
change
It makes a nice change to see you in a good mood for once.
deviation
a clear example of deviation from the norm
difference
diversity
the cultural diversity of British society
diversion (British)
a diversion from his fantasy-themed movies
novelty
alteration
Her jacket and skirt were still awaiting alteration.
discrepancy
diversification
departure from the norm
break in routine
Opposites
uniformity
,
tedium
,
monotony
,
dullness
,
sameness
3 (noun)
Definition
a change in level, amount, or quantity
local variations in price and availability
Synonyms
difference
the vast difference in size
contrast
The contrast between the two pieces of artwork was very striking.
distinction
There were obvious distinctions between the two.
discrepancy
the discrepancy between press and radio reports
disparity
economic disparities between countries
dissimilarity
dissimilitude
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alteration
Definition
a change or modification
Her jacket and skirt were still awaiting alteration.
Synonyms
adjustment,
change,
amendment,
variation,
conversion,
transformation,
adaptation,
difference,
revision,
modification,
remodelling,
reformation,
diversification,
makeover,
metamorphosis,
variance,
reshaping,
transmutation
in the sense of change
Definition
variety or novelty
It makes a nice change to see you in a good mood for once.
Synonyms
variety,
break (informal),
departure,
variation,
novelty,
diversion (British),
whole new ball game (informal)
in the sense of contrast
Definition
a difference which is clearly seen when two things are compared
The contrast between the two pieces of artwork was very striking.
Synonyms
difference,
opposition,
comparison,
distinction,
foil,
disparity,
differentiation,
divergence,
dissimilarity,
contrariety
Synonyms of 'variation'
variation
Explore 'variation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of departure
Definition
a divergence from previous custom, rule, etc.
This album is a considerable departure from her previous work.
Synonyms
shift,
change,
difference,
variation,
innovation,
novelty,
veering,
deviation,
branching out,
divergence,
digression
in the sense of deviation
a clear example of deviation from the norm
Synonyms
departure,
change,
variation,
shift,
alteration,
discrepancy,
inconsistency,
disparity,
aberration,
variance,
divergence,
fluctuation,
irregularity,
digression
in the sense of discrepancy
Definition
a conflict or variation between facts, figures, or claims