adjective

variable

/ˈvɛəriəbəl/ · say it: VER·ee·uh·bul

a factor liable to change

In Nuance & Precision

In more detail

1. (adjective) able to change or likely to change; not staying the same

2. (noun) something that can change or be different in different situations, especially in mathematics or science

Examples

1. The weather in spring is very variable.
2. In the equation, x is a variable that can have different values.

How to use variable

As an adjective, 'variable' describes something that tends to change or is unstable, often implying unpredictability or lack of consistency. As a noun, it refers to an element that can change (common in science, mathematics, and research contexts). The adjective is neutral and factual rather than judgmental, unlike 'inconsistent' or 'unreliable' which carry more negative connotations.

Common phrases

variable costs
variable rate
weather is highly variable
control the variables
dependent variable
independent variable

Synonyms

changeable · fluctuating · inconstant · unpredictable · mutable

Opposites

constant · fixed · stable

Word family

variably (adverb) · variability (noun) · variance (noun) · vary (verb) · variation (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes overuse 'variable' as a general synonym for 'different' or 'various'; it specifically means able to change or that does change, not simply that things differ.

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