Vary Meaning
Vary Definition & Usage
To change or differ in some way.
Examples
- "The weather can vary significantly from one region to another."
- "Her opinions vary depending on the situation."
- "The prices of groceries vary greatly across different supermarkets."
- "My mood tends to vary based on the weather."
- "The difficulty of the task can vary depending on your experience."
To fluctuate or change within a range, typically following some kind of pattern or distribution.
Examples
- "The stock prices vary between $50 and $100 over the course of the week."
- "The temperature can vary from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius during the day."
- "Data from the experiment showed how the results varied under different conditions."
- "The heights of the students in the class vary widely."
- "The interest rates will vary depending on the bank's policies."
To alter the form or pronunciation of something to match different conditions or patterns.
Examples
- "The pronunciation of some English words varies in different regions."
- "In Spanish, the verb endings vary depending on the subject of the sentence."
- "Accents can vary widely between different English-speaking countries."
- "The use of formal language varies in professional and casual settings."
- "Regional dialects often vary significantly, making communication difficult at times."
Cultural Context
The word 'vary' has roots in Latin and has been used in English since the Middle Ages. It expresses the concept of change, difference, or fluctuation, and is widely applicable in both casual and formal contexts. It is frequently used in discussions about trends, behaviors, and measurements.
The Unexpected Day of Change
Story
The Unexpected Day of Change
On a quiet morning in a small village, Maria stood at the window, watching as the first light of dawn stretched across the sky. It wasn’t like any other morning. The weather, which usually remained consistent, was shifting unpredictably. In a matter of hours, the temperature seemed to vary by ten degrees. One minute, the sun was shining brightly, and the next, dark clouds gathered ominously overhead. Maria’s thoughts wandered to the previous evening’s conversation with her brother, Marco. They had been discussing their plans for the summer, and as usual, Marco’s ideas about the future varied greatly from hers. While she planned to stay home and enjoy a peaceful break, Marco was already dreaming of adventures in foreign lands. His ideas, Maria thought, always varied based on his mood. The village itself wasn’t much different. As Maria made her way to the local bakery, she noticed that the price of bread seemed to vary every week. Sometimes it was a little cheaper, other times it was more expensive. It was the same loaf, but the cost would change, depending on the supply and demand. At the bakery, she overheard a conversation between the baker and a customer. The customer asked if the recipe for the bread had changed, as the texture seemed to vary from their usual batch. The baker nodded and explained that the ingredients had been sourced from a different supplier this time. Later, Maria sat down to check her email. The responses to her job application varied widely. One company had offered an interview, while another had sent a generic rejection letter. Her thoughts turned to her own career—her professional interests had varied so much over the years, from teaching to design, and now to a possible career in writing. As she looked out the window again, the rain began to fall. It wasn’t heavy, but it varied in intensity, creating ripples in the puddles that had formed on the ground. Maria smiled. Life, she thought, was much like the weather—always changing, always varying, but it was that very variability that made it interesting.
Related Words
