varve

V4A1R1V4E1
UK/vɑːv//vɑɹv/

noun

An annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock.

OriginSwedish varv →
Scrabble 11
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Meanings

nounvarve (plural varves)

plural varves

  1. geographyAn annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock.

    A comparable method uses varves […] where spans of time can be measured through counting varves, and also by radiocarbon dating plant or animal residues within the varves.

    2011, Chris Stringer, The Origin of Our Species, Penguin, published 2012, page 37

Origin

  1. Swedishvarv
  2. Swedishvarv
  3. Englishvarve

Borrowed from Swedish varv (“layer”).

More words from Swedish

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech varva
  • varvaan annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock
French varve
  • varvean annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock
Irish varbh
  • varbhan annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock
Swedish varv
  • varvan annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with varve

carvestarvemarvbecarveforcarvelarverecarve
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

varve. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varve

MLA

“varve.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varve. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “varve,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varve.

Source: varve on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.