var·i·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl 
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
1
a
: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values
b
: a symbol representing a variable
2
a
: something that is variable
b
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
3
Synonyms
Examples of variable in a Sentence
Adjective
The winds were light and variable.
The loan has a variable interest rate.
Noun
unemployment and other economic variables
Recent Examples on the Web
Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
Thankfully, the best ski goggles come with interchangeable lenses with variable tints to help boost your ability to see in the worst conditions.
—Chris Haslam, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Notably, investors and market analysts will likely observe how Chevron adapts to these circumstances, as the oil and gas sector remains susceptible to unpredictable market variables.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for variable 
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Adjective
There was no significant difference between the settings, although participants slightly preferred the variable setting.
—Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
Thankfully, the best ski goggles come with interchangeable lenses with variable tints to help boost your ability to see in the worst conditions.
—Chris Haslam, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
While these terms are often politicized, some represent demographic variables that researchers collect when tracking the ebb and flow of diseases and health conditions across populations.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Notably, investors and market analysts will likely observe how Chevron adapts to these circumstances, as the oil and gas sector remains susceptible to unpredictable market variables.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for variable
Dictionary Entries Near variable
Cite this Entry
“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variable. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
variable
1 of 2 adjective
vari·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl,
ˈvar-
1
: able to change : likely to be changed
variable winds
2
: having the characteristics of a variable
3
: not true to the usual or normal type
a variable species of wheat
variable
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a quantity that may take on any one of a set of values
b
: a mathematical symbol representing a variable
2
: something that is variable
3
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
controlled all variables except temperature
Medical Definition
variable
1 of 2 adjective
vari·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl, ˈvar-
1
: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
allergy is perhaps the most variable of all diseases—H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde
H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde2
: characterized by variations
3
: not true to type : aberrant
—used of a biological group or character
variable
2 of 2 noun
: something that is variable
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