Variable
/ˈvɛəriəbəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsLiable to change or capable of being changed; inconstant.
/ˈvɛəriəbəl/
Likely to change or vary; not consistent.
The weather is variable today, with sunshine and showers.
💡 Simply: Imagine your mood. Sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're sad. A variable thing is something that's like your mood – it can change! Like how the weather can change from sunny to rainy.
👶 For kids: Something that can change, like how many toys you have.
More Examples
The company's profits are highly variable and depend on market trends.
The study aims to identify all the variable factors affecting patient recovery.
How It's Used
"The experiment controlled for all the variables."
"Variable interest rates fluctuate depending on market conditions."
A quantity that may assume any of a set of values.
/ˈvɛəriəbəl/
A quantity or factor that can change in value.
In this equation, 'x' is a variable.
💡 Simply: Imagine a mystery number in a math problem. That number is a variable! It's like a secret that can be different each time.
👶 For kids: A letter or symbol that stands for a number we don't know yet.
More Examples
Researchers are studying various environmental variables that affect plant growth.
The programmer defined a variable to store the user's name.
How It's Used
"In the equation, 'x' is a variable."
"The program used several variables to store different types of data."
Synonyms
Inconsistent
Shifting
Unpredictable
Component
Element
Factor
Parameter
Quantity
From Latin *variabilis*, meaning 'changeable', from *variare* 'to change'.
The word variable has been used in scientific and mathematical contexts since the 17th century.
Memory tip
Think of a weather report showing "variable" conditions – constantly changing.