Vary
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈvɛəɹi/
- Rhymes: -ɛəɹi
Origin
From Middle English varien, from Old French varier, from Latin variÅ ("to change, alter, make different"), from varius ("different, various"); see various
Full definition of vary
Verb
- (transitive) To change with time or a similar parameter.He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.
- (transitive) To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.
- WallerGods, that never change their state,
Vary oft their love and hate. - DrydenWe are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.
- (intransitive) Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.His mood varies by the hour.The sine function varies between −1 and 1.
- AddisonWhile fear and anger, with alternate grace,
Pant in her breast, and vary in her face. - (of the members of a group, intransitive) To display differences.''The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.
- (intransitive) To be or act different from the usual.''I'm not comfortable with
3.Nc3in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and play
- (transitive) To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate.
- Sir Thomas BrowneGod hath varied their inclinations.
- MiltonGod hath here
Varied his bounty so with new delights. - (transitive, music) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation.
- (obsolete) To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.
- Webster (1623)the rich jewel which we vary for
Noun
vary
(uncountable)- (obsolete) Alteration; change.