Vagary: meaning, definitions and examples

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vagary

 

[ ˈveɪɡəri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in behavior

An erratic or unpredictable action, occurrence, or course.

Synonyms

caprice, fickleness, quirk, whim, whimsy

Examples of usage

  • She is known for her vagaries in decision-making.
  • His vagaries often lead to confusion among his colleagues.
  • The vagaries of the weather can affect outdoor events.
  • The stock market is subject to the vagaries of investors' moods.

Translations

Translations of the word "vagary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 capricho

🇮🇳 अचानक बदलाव

🇩🇪 Laune

🇮🇩 keanehan

🇺🇦 примха

🇵🇱 kaprys

🇯🇵 気まぐれ (kimagure)

🇫🇷 caprice

🇪🇸 capricho

🇹🇷 kapris

🇰🇷 변덕 (byeondeok)

🇸🇦 نزوة

🇨🇿 rozmar

🇸🇰 rozmar

🇨🇳 奇想 (qíxiǎng)

🇸🇮 muha

🇮🇸 duttlung

🇰🇿 құбылмалылық

🇬🇪 კაპრიზი

🇦🇿 kapriz

🇲🇽 capricho

Etymology

The word 'vagary' originated from the Latin word 'vagari', meaning 'to wander'. Over time, it evolved to represent unpredictable or erratic behavior. The term has been used in English literature since the 16th century, often describing sudden changes or whimsical actions. 'Vagary' captures the essence of unpredictability and variability, making it a versatile word in expressing the capricious nature of human behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,159, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.