Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Var·i·a·ble

   /ˈverēəb(ə)l/

   

   adjective

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

   noun

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

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. variableness noun
   • 2. variably adverb

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • V

     4

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • A

     1

   • B

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less