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
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
Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The other major Nvidia technology supported by the new Switch is G-Sync, which prevents screen tearing when games are running at variable frame rates.
—ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025
New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
How other countries respond to the tariffs is another variable to consider.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variable
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Adjective
Nvidia also confirmed that the 1080p 120hz screen in the Switch 2 is using G-Sync for its VRR (variable refresh rate) implementation, which is widely considered one of the best and most versatile implementations of VRR on the market.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The other major Nvidia technology supported by the new Switch is G-Sync, which prevents screen tearing when games are running at variable frame rates.
—ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Importantly, the two groups, only a few weeks apart in age, were not expected to differ significantly from one another, which would reduce the probability of confounding variables.
—New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
How other countries respond to the tariffs is another variable to consider.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variable
Cite this Entry
“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variable. Accessed 11 Apr. 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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