var·i·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl 
1
a
: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
variable winds
variable costs
b
: fickle, inconstant
2
: characterized by variations
3
: having the characteristics of a variable
4
: not true to type : aberrant
—used of a biological group or character
1
a
: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values
b
: a symbol representing a variable
2
a
: something that is variable
b
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
3
Examples of variable in a Sentence
Adjective
The winds were light and variable.
The loan has a variable interest rate.
Noun
unemployment and other economic variables
Recent Examples on the Web
Roger Dooley, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Fixed income trades Bonds with variable payouts offer investors another way to fight inflation.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
But this year saw a freak variable that prompted DraftKings to adjust the lines.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The loyalty program is shifting to variable redemption rates.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Fixed income trades Bonds with variable payouts offer investors another way to fight inflation.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
Additional Bearish Factors Multiple analysts took a broader approach, citing a range of variables as being behind bitcoin’s recent depreciation.
—Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
But this year saw a freak variable that prompted DraftKings to adjust the lines.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variable
Cite this Entry
“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variable. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
variable
1 of 2 adjective
vari·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl,
ˈvar-
1
: able to change : likely to be changed
variable winds
2
: having the characteristics of a variable
3
: not true to the usual or normal type
a variable species of wheat
variable
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a quantity that may take on any one of a set of values
b
: a mathematical symbol representing a variable
2
: something that is variable
3
: a factor in a scientific experiment that may be subject to change
controlled all variables except temperature
Medical Definition
variable
1 of 2 adjective
vari·able
ˈver-ē-ə-bəl, ˈvar-
1
: able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
allergy is perhaps the most variable of all diseases—H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde
H. G. Rapaport & Shirley Linde2
: characterized by variations
3
: not true to type : aberrant
—used of a biological group or character
variable
2 of 2 noun
: something that is variable
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share