Main Entry:

¹var·i·able

Pronunciation:

\ˈver-ē-ə-bəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin variabilis, from variare to vary

Date:

14th century

1 a: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes <variable winds> <variable costs> b: fickle, inconstant2: characterized by variations3: having the characteristics of a variable4: not true to type : aberrant —used of a biological group or character

— var·i·abil·i·ty \ˌver-ē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— var·i·able·ness \ˈver-ē-ə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— var·i·ably \-blē\ adverb