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var·y

(vârē, vărē)

v. var·ied (-ēd), var·y·ing, var·ies (-ēz)

v.intr.

1. To undergo or show change: The temperature varied throughout the day.

2. To deviate from a standard or expectation: behavior that varies from the norm.

3. To have a range of different qualities or amounts: Shirt sizes vary from small to extra large.

v.tr.

1. To make or cause changes in; modify or alter: vary the speed of the drill.

2. To give variety to; make diverse: vary one's diet.

[Middle English varien, to undergo change, from Old French varier, from Latin variāre, from varius, various.]

vary·ing·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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