vary

[vair-ee] /ˈvɛər i/
verb (used with object), varied, varying.
1.
to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance:
to vary one's methods.
2.
to cause to be different from something else:
The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.
3.
to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify:
to vary one's diet.
4.
Music. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
verb (used without object), varied, varying.
5.
to show diversity; be different:
The age at which children are ready to read varies.
6.
to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.:
The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
7.
to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate:
Demand for certain products varies with the season.
8.
to diverge; depart; deviate (usually followed by from):
to vary from the norm.
9.
Mathematics. to be subject to change.
10.
Biology. to exhibit variation.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English varien < Latin variāre, equivalent to vari(us) (see various) + -āre infinitive suffix
Related forms
varier, noun
varyingly, adverb
intervary, verb (used without object), intervaried, intervarying.
overvary, verb, overvaried, overvarying.
self-varying, adjective
unvarying, adjective
unvaryingly, adverb
Synonyms
1. modify, mutate.
Examples from the web for vary
  • The resulting growth will vary depending on the bud.
  • vary the forms of cornmeal, from stone-ground to polenta, for a surprising range of flavors and textures.
  • The water and fertilizer needs of shrubs vary widely, so it's important to learn each plant's requirements before purchase.
  • vary the bread, cheese, and other fillings for a spread of sandwiches that will make everyone happy.
  • Take advantage of this diversity to vary the personality of your rice bowls.
  • Delivery patterns and amounts vary from one model to another.
  • To give interest to a garden without disturbing its serenity, vary textures.
  • The lupulins vary in color from a pale to a deep yellow.
  • It's astonishing how much trees can vary in fall color.
  • Rarely does one gene determine one trait, and rarely does one trait vary because of one gene.
British Dictionary definitions for vary

vary

/ˈvɛərɪ/
verb varies, varying, varied
1.
to undergo or cause to undergo change, alteration, or modification in appearance, character, form, attribute, etc
2.
to be different or cause to be different; be subject to change
3.
(transitive) to give variety to
4.
(intransitive) foll by from. to differ, as from a convention, standard, etc
5.
(intransitive) to change in accordance with another variable: her mood varies with the weather, pressure varies directly with temperature and inversely with volume
6.
(transitive) (music) to modify (a theme) by the use of variation
Derived Forms
varying, adjective
varyingly, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Latin variāre, from variusvarious
Word Origin and History for vary
v.

mid-14c. (transitive); late 14c. (intransitive), from Old French varier, from Latin variare "change, alter, make different," from varius "varied, different, spotted;" perhaps related to varus "bent, crooked, knock-kneed," and varix "varicose vein," from a PIE root *wer- (1) "high raised spot or other bodily infirmity" (cf. Old English wearte "wart," Swedish varbulde "pus swelling," Latin verruca "wart"). Related: Varied; varying.

vary in Medicine

vary var·y (vâr'ē, vār'ē)
v. var·ied, var·y·ing, var·ies

  1. To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.

  2. To undergo or show change.

  3. To be different; deviate.