varier
B2Neutral/Formal
Definition
Meaning
To change or be different in form, degree, amount, or nature.
To introduce modifications or alterations to avoid uniformity; to undergo or cause to undergo successive changes; to differ in some characteristic; to diverge from a standard or type.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a change within a range or over time. It can be intransitive (e.g., 'Prices vary') or transitive (e.g., 'She varies her routine').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. Potential minor differences in preferred collocations or subject matter (e.g., 'vary the diet' vs. 'vary the lineup').
Connotations
Neutral in both dialects. Associated with flexibility, adaptation, and diversity.
Frequency
Common in both formal and semi-formal contexts in all varieties of English. Slightly more frequent in academic/technical registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] vary (intransitive)[NP] vary [NP] (transitive)[NP] vary from [NP] to [NP][NP] vary in [NP][NP] vary according to/depending on [NP][NP] vary with [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vary the pace”
- “vary your diet”
- “vary the routine”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Sales figures vary from quarter to quarter.' (Analysing performance fluctuations)
Academic
'The methodology was varied to test the robustness of the results.' (Describing experimental design)
Everyday
'I try to vary my route to work to avoid getting bored.' (Discussing daily habits)
Technical
'The voltage can be varied using a potentiometer.' (Describing adjustments in engineering)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Rates may vary according to your postcode.
- She varies her teaching materials to keep lessons lively.
American English
- Opinions vary widely on that issue.
- You should vary your workout routine for better results.
adverb
British English
- The landscape changed variably as we drove north.
American English
- The software performs variably on different systems.
adjective
British English
- The project faced varying degrees of success.
- We offer a varied selection of cakes.
American English
- The team showed varying levels of skill.
- He has a varied background in tech and finance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Fruit prices vary in the market.
- I like to vary my breakfast.
- The weather can vary a lot in spring.
- Try to vary the exercises you do at the gym.
- Symptoms of the illness vary considerably from patient to patient.
- The artist's style has varied over the course of her career.
- The tax burden varies inversely with ability to pay, which is a point of political contention.
- The experimental parameters were varied systematically to isolate the causative factor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VARYing VASE – its shape, colour, and contents can all CHANGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOVEMENT (prices vary up and down), UNIFORMITY IS STASIS (to vary is to break stasis).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'very' (/ˈver.i/ sound-alike).
- The Russian verb 'менять' covers 'change', 'exchange', and 'vary' – English 'vary' is more specific to internal differences within a set or over time, not a direct swap.
- Avoid overusing 'different' as a substitute for the verb 'vary'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'It varies on the weather.' Correct: 'It varies with the weather' or 'It depends on the weather.'
- Incorrect: 'The prices are vary.' Correct: 'The prices vary.' (no 'be' before main verb)
- Incorrect subject-verb agreement: 'The quality of the products vary...' Correct: 'The quality... varies...'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'vary' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but common in formal and academic contexts. In very casual speech, people might use 'change' or 'mix up' more often.
'Change' is broader and can mean to become or make something completely different. 'Vary' often implies changing within a range, over time, or between instances, emphasising difference rather than total transformation.
Yes, this is a very common pattern to show a range of difference: e.g., 'Temperatures vary from 10 to 25 degrees.'
The main noun forms are 'variation' (the act or instance of varying) and 'variety' (a number of different types).