VARIABLE

variable

(adjective) (used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied; “a variable capacitor”; “variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights”

variable

(adjective) liable to or capable of change; “rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable”; “variable winds”; “variable expenses”

varying, variable

(adjective) marked by diversity or difference; “the varying angles of roof slope”; “nature is infinitely variable”

variable, variable quantity

(noun) a quantity that can assume any of a set of values

variable

(noun) a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity

variable

(noun) something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation; “the weather is one variable to be considered”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

variable (comparative more variable, superlative most variable)

Able to vary or be varied.

Likely to vary.

Marked by diversity or difference.

(mathematics) Having no fixed quantitative value.

(biology) Tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.

Synonyms

• (able to vary): alterable, flexible, changeable, mutable; see also mutable

• (likely to vary): fickle, fluctuating, inconstant, shifting, unstable, unsteady; see also unsteady or changeable

• (marked by diversity or difference): varying; see also heterogeneous

• (biology: tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type): aberrant

• fickle

• fluctuating

• volatile

• fluid

• irregular

• mobile

• shifting

• wavering

• yo-yo

• capricious

• changeful

• fitful

• flexible

• iffy

• inconstant

• mercurial

• mutable

• protean

• shifty

• slippery

• spasmodic

• temperamental

• ticklish

• uncertain

• unequable

• unsettled

• unstable

• unsteady

• vacillating

• waffling

Antonyms

• (able to vary): constant, invariable, immutable, unalterable, unchangeable; see also immutable

• (likely to vary): constant, invariable, immutable, unchangeable see also steady or changeless

• (marked by diversity or difference): unchanging; see also homogeneous

• (mathematics: having no fixed quantitative value): constant, invariable

Noun

variable (plural variables)

Something that is variable.

Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.

(mathematics) A quantity that may assume any one of a set of values.

(mathematics) A symbol representing a variable.

(programming) A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.

(astronomy) A variable star.

(nautical) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.

(nautical, in the plural) Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.

Synonyms

• (something that is variable): changeable

• (something whose value may be dictated or discovered): parameter

• (mathematics: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values): variable quantity; see also variable

Antonyms

• (something that is variable): constant, invariable

Hyponyms

• bound variable

• categorical variable

• continuous variable

• dependent variable

• discrete variable

• flow variable

• free variable

• independent variable

• instance variable

• interval variable

• member variable

• metasyntactic variable

• nominal variable

• ordinal variable

• ratio variable

• stock variable

• variable variable

• See also variable

Source: Wiktionary

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Va"ri*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. variabilis: cf. F. variable.]

1. Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity.

2. Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable. Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Shak. His heart, I know, how variable and vain! Milton. Variable exhaust (Steam Eng.), a blast pipe with an adjustable opening.

– Variable quantity (Math.), a variable.

– Variable stars (Astron.), fixed stars which vary in their brightness, usually in more or less uniform periods.

Syn.

– Changeable; mutable; fickle; wavering; unsteady; versatile; inconstant.

Va"ri*a*ble, n.

1. That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject to change.

2. (Math.)

Definition: A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.

3. (Naut.) (a) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force. (b) pl.

Definition: Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts. Independent variable (Math.), that one of two or more variables, connected with each other in any way whatever, to which changes are supposed to be given at will. Thus, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, if arbitrary changes are supposed to be given to x, then x is the independent variable, and y is called a function of x. There may be two or more independent variables in an equation or problem. Cf. Dependent variable, under Dependent.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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