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Definition of variation noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

        

    variation

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˌvɛriˈeɪʃn//
     
     
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  1. 1[countable, uncountable] variation (in/of something) a change, especially in the amount or level of something The dial records very slight variations in pressure. Currency exchange rates are always subject to variation. regional/seasonal variation (= depending on the region or time of year) 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.
  2. 2[countable] variation (on something) a thing that is different from other things in the same general group This soup is a spicy variation on a traditional favorite.
  3. 3[countable] variation (on something) (music) any of a set of short pieces of music based on a simple tune repeated in a different and more complicated form a set of variations on a theme by Mozart (figurative) His numerous complaints are all variations on a theme (= all about the same thing).
    4. vary verbvaried adjectivevariable adjectivevariation nounvarious adjectivevariety noun
See variation in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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