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Definition of variable noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

  

variable

 noun
noun
NAmE//ˈvɛriəbl//
 
 
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a situation, number, or quantity that can vary or be varied With so many variables, it is difficult to calculate the cost. The temperature remained constant while pressure was a variable in the experiment. opposite constant AWL Collocationsvaryvary verbto be different from each other; to become different or to change
  • estimate, opinion, pricing, ratio, result
  • rate, size
Estimates vary because measurement techniques differ from study to study.
  • considerably, greatly, significantly, substantially
  • widely
  • inversely
  • seasonally
Spanish is spoken with an accent that varies considerably according to region. The cost of cattle varies inversely with supply.
  • varying degrees
There are a wealth of resources on the World Wide Web, containing information with varying degrees of accuracy and reliability.variable noun
  • independent, predictor
  • dependent, outcome
  • continuous, categorical
One predictor variable of early reading success is vocabulary knowledge. In this study, age was measured as a continuous variable ranging from 18 to 70 years. The categorical variables were gender and marital status.variation noun
  • considerable, slight
  • spatial, temporal
  • genetic, geographic, seasonal
There is considerable variation; what works for one patient does not necessarily work for another. The area has spatial variations in rainfall, with the southern areas receiving more rainfall than central locations.variability noun
  • considerable, substantial
  • climatic, genetic
Considerable variability in all aspects of testing practices was evident. Wild plant species usually have a great deal of genetic variability.
  • within
  • across, among, between
There is considerable variability within the group, with some students reading at grade level, and others demonstrating significant reading problems.varied adjective
  • widely
  • immensely, infinitely, richly
Fibers may be derived from paper, metal, nylon, and other materials having widely varied physical properties. The judicial systems of the rest of the world are immensely varied.variable adjective
  • highly
Rainfall is highly variable, and the start and end of the two rainy seasons are unreliable. vary verbvaried adjectivevariable adjectivevariation nounvarious adjectivevariety noun
See variable in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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