variable

Changing often, or able to be changed.

• The weather here is variable.
• The machine runs at variable speeds.
• Our monthly income has been highly variable.

Similar words: changeable, varying

Opposites: constant, fixed

Common phrases: variable weather, variable speed, highly variable

Very different from one member of a group to another.

• The samples are variable in size.
• The quality of these products is highly variable.
• Children of this age have variable reading skills.

How to use it: variable across something (Quality is variable across the different brands.)

Similar words: uneven, inconsistent

Opposites: uniform

Common phrases: variable quality, variable size, highly variable

A factor that can change and affect a situation or result.

• Weather is an important variable.
• The researchers measured several variables.
• We must consider every variable before making a decision.

Similar words: factor

Common phrases: important variable, control a variable, key variable

A letter or symbol representing a number that is unknown or can change.

• The letter x represents a variable.
• This equation contains two variables.
• Find the value of the variable.

Similar words: unknown

Opposites: constant

Common phrases: unknown variable, solve for a variable, variable x

A named place in a computer program that holds a value, such as a number or text.

• This variable stores the score.
• Give each variable a clear name.
• The program updates two variables after every click.

Opposites: constant

Common phrases: declare a variable, local variable, variable name

A quantity whose value can be any of several possible numbers.

• Time is the independent variable.
• Each variable can take several values.
• The graph shows how one variable affects another.

Opposites: constant

Common phrases: independent variable, dependent variable, random variable