vary: Meaning and Definition of

var•y

Pronunciation: (vâr'ē), [key]
— v., var•ied, var•y•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one's methods.
  2. to cause to be different from something else: The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.
  3. to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify: to vary one's diet.
  4. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
—v.i.
  1. to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.
  2. to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
  3. to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.
  4. to diverge; depart; deviate (usually fol. by from): to vary from the norm.
  5. to be subject to change.
  6. to exhibit variation.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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