variable

comparative more variable · superlative most variable

1. Able to vary or be varied.

   variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity; a variable resistor

   Synonyms: alterable, flexible, changeable, mutable, abateable, alterable, changeable, dynamic · Antonyms: constant, invariable, immutable, unalterable, unchangeable, bateless, fixed, immutable

2. Likely to vary.

   Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

   Synonyms: fickle, fluctuating, inconstant, shifting, unstable, unsteady, up-and-down, erratic · Antonyms: constant, invariable, immutable, unchangeable, consistent, equable, equal, even

3. Marked by diversity or difference.

   Synonyms: varying, catholic, dishomogeneous, diverse, diversified, eclectic, heterogeneous, liberal · Antonyms: unchanging, homogeneous, invariable, of a piece, onefold, samely, uniform, uniformal

4. mathematicsHaving no fixed quantitative value.

   Antonyms: constant, invariable

5. biologyTending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.

   Synonyms: aberrant

plural variables

1. Something that is variable.

   Synonyms: changeable · Antonyms: constant, invariable

2. Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.

   There are several variables to consider here.

   1 more example

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

   2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193

   Synonyms: parameter

3. mathematicsA quantity that may assume any one of a set of values.

   Synonyms: variable quantity

4. mathematicsA symbol representing a variable.
5. computingA named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.
6. astronomyA variable star.
7. nauticalA shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
8. in pluralnauticalThose parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.