/ ˈveəriəbl; NAmE ˈver-; ˈvær-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
often changing; likely to change
SYN fluctuating :
variable temperatures
The acting is of variable quality (= some of it is good and some of it is bad) .
—compare invariable
2.
able to be changed :
The drill has variable speed control.
variable lighting
► vari·ably / -iəbli; NAmE / adverb
■ noun
a situation, number or quantity that can vary or be varied :
With so many variables, it is difficult to calculate the cost.
The temperature remained constant while pressure was a variable in the experiment.
OPP constant
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin variabilis , from variare , from varius diverse.