vary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
    alter; change.
    • her mood changes in accordance with the weather
    • The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
  2. verb be at variance with; be out of line with
    depart; deviate; diverge.
  3. verb be subject to change in accordance with a variable
    • Prices vary
    • His moods vary depending on the weather
  4. verb make something more diverse and varied
    motley; variegate.
    • Vary the menu

WordNet

Va"ry transitive verb
Etymology
OE. varien, F. varier, L. variare, fr. varius various. See Various, and cf. Variate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Varied ; present participle & verbal noun Varying
Definitions
  1. To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance, substance, position, or the like; to make different by a partial change; to modify; as, to vary the properties, proportions, or nature of a thing; to vary a posture or an attitude; to vary one's dress or opinions.
    Shall we vary our device at will, Even as new occasion appears? Spenser.
  2. To change to something else; to transmute; to exchange; to alternate.
    Gods, that never change their state, Vary oft their love and hate. Waller.
    We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies. Dryden.
  3. To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate.
    God hath varied their inclinations. Sir T. Browne.
    God hath here Varied his bounty so with new delights. Milton.
  4. (Mus.) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See Variation, 4.
Va"ry intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To alter, or be altered, in any manner; to suffer a partial change; to become different; to be modified; as, colors vary in different lights.
    That each from other differs, first confess; Next, that he varies from himself no less. Pope.
  2. To differ, or be different; to be unlike or diverse; as, the laws of France vary from those of England.
  3. To alter or change in succession; to alternate; as, one mathematical quantity varies inversely as another.
    While fear and anger, with alternate grace, Pant in her breast, and vary in her face. Addison.
  4. To deviate; to depart; to swerve; -- followed by from; as, to vary from the law, or from reason. Locke.
  5. To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension; as, men vary in opinion.
    The rich jewel which we vary for. Webster (1623).
Va"ry noun
Definitions
  1. Alteration; change. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913