- 1
To change with time or a similar parameter.transitive
- He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.
- 2
To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.transitive
- You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.
- a. 1687, Edmund Waller, to Phyllis Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate.
- 3
Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.intransitive
- His mood varies by the hour.
- The sine function varies between −1 and 1.
- 4
To display differences.intransitive
- The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.
- 5
To be or act different from the usual.intransitive
- I'm not comfortable with 3.Nc3 in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and play exd5.
- 6
To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversify; to variegate.transitive
- God hath[…] varied their inclinations.
- God hath here / Varied his bounty so with new delights.
- 7
To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation.transitive
- 8
To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.intransitiveobsolete
- the rich jewel which we vary for
syn. change