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, inconstant
2 : characterized by variations
3 : having the characteristics of a variable
4 : 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