Variable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈver-ē-ə-bəl/ var·i·able

Meaning & Definition of Variable

Variable (adjective)

  1. able or apt to vary, subject to variation or changes
  2. fickle, inconstant
  3. characterized by variations

Variable (noun)

  1. a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values
  2. a symbol representing a variable
  3. something that is variable

Variable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. capable of being readily changed

    "a variable expense that we could reduce if we needed to"

    similar: adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, pliable
    related: changing, fluctuating, inconstant, labile, unstable, unsteady, varying, versatile
    opposite: established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable, ramrod, set, unadaptable, unalterable, unbudgeable, unchangeable
    near: constant, stable, steady, unchanging, uniform, unvarying

  2. likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly

    "highly variable income from his job as a real estate agent"

    similar: capricious, changeable, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, volatile, up in the air
    related: aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, adaptable, mobile, protean, versatile
    opposite: certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying
    near: equable, even, uniform, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

Variable (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in neutron star, variable star

    similar: binary star, brown dwarf, dwarf, fixed star, gasser, giant star, lodestar, neutron star, nova, pulsar, quasar, red dwarf, red giant, red star, subdwarf, supercluster, supergiant, supernova, variable star, white dwarf, luminary, sphere, sun, cluster, constellation, galaxy

Related Entry: Variable star (noun)

Variable star is a different word from Variable. The synonyms below are for variable star, not for variable.

  1. as in neutron star, white dwarf

    similar: binary star, brown dwarf, dwarf, fixed star, gasser, giant star, lodestar, neutron star, nova, pulsar, quasar, red dwarf, red giant, red star, subdwarf, supercluster, supergiant, supernova, variable, white dwarf, luminary, sphere, sun, cluster, constellation, galaxy

Related Entry: Variable stars (noun)

Variable stars is a different word from Variable. The synonyms below are for variable stars, not for variable.

  1. as in neutron stars, white dwarfs

    similar: binary stars, brown dwarfs, dwarfs, fixed stars, gassers, giant stars, lodestars, neutron stars, novas, pulsars, quasars, red dwarfs, red giants, red stars, subdwarfs, superclusters, supergiants, supernovas, variables, white dwarfs, luminaries, spheres, suns, clusters, constellations, galaxies

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Variable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Variable:

adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, pliable, capricious, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, volatile, up in the air, binary star, brown dwarf, dwarf, fixed star, gasser, giant star, lodestar, neutron star, nova, pulsar, quasar, red dwarf

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Variable

Words with the opposite meaning of Variable:

established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable, ramrod, set, unadaptable, unalterable, unbudgeable, unchangeable, certain, changeless, constant, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying

Related Words for Variable

changing, labile, varying, versatile, aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, mobile, protean

Near Antonyms of Variable

uniform, equable, even, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

Word Forms of Variable

Derived words: variability (noun), variableness (noun), variably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Variable

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin variābilis "changeable," from Latin variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -ābilis -able

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Variable

Words & Phrases Containing Variable

variable rate mortgage, variable star, dependent variable, dummy variable, gram-variable, independent variable, random variable

Frequently Asked Questions about Variable

What does "Variable" mean?

"Variable" means able or apt to vary, subject to variation or changes. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: able or apt to vary, subject to variation or changes. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Variable"?

Other words for "Variable" include adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid and malleable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Variable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Variable"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Variable". Common alternatives include adaptable, adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable and pliable.

What is the opposite of "Variable"?

Antonyms of "Variable" include established, fixed, immutable, inelastic, inflexible, invariable, nonmalleable and ramrod. Near antonyms include uniform, equable, even and abiding.

How do you use "Variable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Variable" in a sentence: "a variable expense that we could reduce if we needed to"; "highly variable income from his job as a real estate agent".

Is "Variable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Variable" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Variable" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Variable" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Variable"?

"Variable" is pronounced /ˈver-ē-ə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as var·i·able.