vary
verb OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈveəri/
/ˈveri/, /ˈværi/
Word Family
- vary verb
- varied adjective
- variable adjective
- variation noun
- various adjective
- variety noun
Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they vary | /ˈveəri/ /ˈveri/, /ˈværi/ |
| he / she / it varies | /ˈveəriz/ /ˈveriz/, /ˈværiz/ |
| past simple varied | /ˈveərid/ /ˈverid/, /ˈværid/ |
| past participle varied | /ˈveərid/ /ˈverid/, /ˈværid/ |
| -ing form varying | /ˈveəriɪŋ/ /ˈveriɪŋ/, /ˈværiɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] (of a group of similar things) to be different from each other in size, shape, etc.
- New techniques were introduced with varying degrees of success.
- Estimates of how many civilians were killed varied widely.
- Class size varies greatly.
- vary in something The students' work varies considerably in quality.
- The rooms vary in size.
- There are a number of routes to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty.
Extra Examples- Personal preference naturally varies.
- Services offered vary among the main banks.
- The sword hardly varied in form from the 12th to the 15th century.
- Gender roles vary across cultures.
- The doses used vary between 2 and 10mg/kg.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- dramatically
- enormously
- …
- can
- may
- be likely to
- …
- according to
- by
- depending on
- …
- vary over time
- vary with time
- [intransitive] to change or be different according to the situation
- vary with something The menu varies with the season.
- vary by something Cancer rates vary significantly by gender and ethnicity.
- vary from somebody/something to somebody/something Results can vary greatly from year to year.
- Pulse rates vary slightly from person to person.
- vary between A and B Class numbers vary between 25 and 30.
- Costs are likely to vary depending on where you live.
- ‘What time do you start work?’ ‘It varies.’
- vary according to something Prices vary according to the type of room you require.
Extra Examples- Dictionaries are produced with specific markets in mind, and their contents vary accordingly.
- Its speed varies from 20 mph to 35 mph.
- Prices can vary enormously.
- The danger of a heart attack varies with body weight.
- The availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it.
- The drug is available in several forms, and dosages vary accordingly.
- The leaf's size varies widely according to the area where it grows.
- The rate of growth varies considerably between different industries.
- The situation varies slightly from country to country.
- The speed of the car hardly varied.
- Voting patterns vary geographically.
- Voting behaviour varies geographically.
- What can be found will inevitably vary according to the area under study.
- a study of how moral values vary over time
- the continuously varying intensities of natural light
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- dramatically
- enormously
- …
- can
- may
- be likely to
- …
- according to
- by
- depending on
- …
- vary over time
- vary with time
- [transitive] vary something to make changes to something to make it slightly different
- The job enables me to vary the hours I work.
- The aerobics instructor varies the routine each week.
- Consumers may apply to the lender to vary the terms of their contract.
- Drivers need to take note of the weather conditions and vary their speed accordingly.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- dramatically
- enormously
- …
- can
- may
- be likely to
- …
- according to
- by
- depending on
- …
- vary over time
- vary with time
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French varier or Latin variare, from varius ‘diverse’ .
Idioms
your mileage may vary
(abbreviation YMMV)
- (informal) used to say that people may experience a particular thing in different ways
- Highly recommend the company! Of course, your mileage may vary.