Vary Meaning
/ˈvɛəɹi/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo change with time or a similar parameter.
verbTo institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.
Sentence Examples
Wages vary in relation to the age of the worker.
Tastes in music vary from person to person.
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the day, desert temperatures ____ greatly, shifting from extreme heat to cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The prices of the products can ____ depending on the time of year and many other different economic factors today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English varien, from Old French varier, from Latin variō (“to change, alter, make different”), from varius (“different, various”); see various.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies."
— 1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC:
"[F]ear and anger, vvith alternate Grace, / Pant in her Breaſt, and vary in her Face!"
— 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act III, scene i, page 44:
"In the new layout, it is proposed to provide three island platforms with six platform faces varying from 1,075 to 1,290 ft. in length and including bays."
— 1960 February, “The modernisation of Peterborough”, in Trains Illustrated, page 108:
"God hath[…] varied their inclinations."
— 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
"God hath here / Varied his bounty so with new delights."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the day, desert temperatures ____ greatly, shifting from extreme heat to cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The prices of the products can ____ depending on the time of year and many other different economic factors today.