variable

[vair-ee-uh-buh l] /ˈvɛər i ə bəl/
adjective
1.
apt or liable to vary or change; changeable:
variable weather; variable moods.
2.
capable of being varied or changed; alterable:
a variable time limit for completion of a book.
3.
inconstant; fickle:
a variable lover.
4.
having much variation or diversity.
5.
Biology. deviating from the usual type, as a species or a specific character.
6.
Astronomy. (of a star) changing in brightness.
7.
Meteorology. (of wind) tending to change in direction.
8.
Mathematics. having the nature or characteristics of a variable.
noun
9.
something that may or does vary; a variable feature or factor.
10.
Mathematics, Computers.
  1. a quantity or function that may assume any given value or set of values.
  2. a symbol that represents this.
11.
Logic. (in the functional calculus) a symbol for an unspecified member of a class of things or statements.
Compare bound variable, free variable.
12.
Astronomy, variable star.
13.
Meteorology.
  1. a shifting wind, especially as distinguished from a trade wind.
  2. variables, doldrums (def 2a).
Origin
1350-1400; late Middle English < Latin variābilis, equivalent to vari(us) various + -ābilis -able
Related forms
variability, variableness, noun
variably, adverb
hypervariability, noun
hypervariable, adjective
hypervariably, adverb
nonvariability, noun
nonvariable, adjective
nonvariableness, noun
nonvariably, adverb
unvariable, adjective
unvariableness, noun
unvariably, adverb
Can be confused
boundary, limit, parameter, variable (see synonym study at boundary; see usage note at parameter)
variable, variant.
Synonyms
3. vacillating, wavering, fluctuating, unsteady, mercurial.
Antonyms
1, 3. constant.
Examples from the web for variables
  • In the future, experts say, models need to be opened up to accommodate more variables and more dimensions of uncertainty.
  • We can't rely on readily available information to make this conclusion, less so when the two variables are not closely connected.
  • When modeling climate, scientists must account for a large number of variables.
  • There were no technical graphs of data points or tables of measured variables.
  • Scale down the variables to establish a soothing atmosphere, and stick to your budget.
  • The principles may be familiar, but in practice the variables are tricky, and past behavior.
  • Using many variables avoids skews that can occur within a smaller set of variables.
  • The value of a work of art is a function of many variables.
  • It involves manipulating and eliminating variables to support or nullify a hypothesis.
  • How countries fare in terms of their rankings on the two variables can diverge considerably.
British Dictionary definitions for variables

variable

/ˈvɛərɪəbəl/
adjective
1.
liable to or capable of change: variable weather
2.
(of behaviour, opinions, emotions, etc) lacking constancy; fickle
3.
(maths) having a range of possible values
4.
(of a species, characteristic, etc) liable to deviate from the established type
5.
(of a wind) varying its direction and intensity
6.
(of an electrical component or device) designed so that a characteristic property, such as resistance, can be varied: variable capacitor
noun
7.
something that is subject to variation
8.
(maths)
  1. an expression that can be assigned any of a set of values
  2. a symbol, esp x, y, or z, representing an unspecified member of a class of objects, numbers, etc See also dependent variable, independent variable
9.
(logic) a symbol, esp x, y, z, representing any member of a class of entities
10.
(computing) a named unit of storage that can be changed to any of a set of specified values during execution of a program
11.
(astronomy) See variable star
12.
a variable wind
13.
(pl) a region where variable winds occur
Derived Forms
variability, variableness, noun
variably, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Latin variābilis changeable, from variāre to diversify
Word Origin and History for variables

variable

adj.

late 14c., of persons, from Old French variable, from Latin variabilis "changeable," from variare "to change" (see vary). Of weather, seasons, etc., attested from late 15c.; of stars, from 1788.

n.

"quantity that can vary in value," 1816, from variable (adj.). Related: Variably; variability.

variables in Medicine

variable var·i·a·ble (vâr'ē-ə-bəl, vār'-)
adj.

  1. Likely to change or vary; subject to variation; changeable.

  2. Tending to deviate, as from a normal or recognized type; aberrant.

  3. Having no fixed quantitative value.

n.

  1. Something that varies or that is prone to variation.

  2. A quantity that is capable of assuming any of a set of values.

variables in Science
variable
  (vâr'ē-ə-bəl)   

  1. A mathematical quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values, such as x in the expression 3x + 2.

  2. A factor or condition that is subject to change, especially one that is allowed to change in a scientific experiment to test a hypothesis. See more at control.