Vary: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to differences within a group or when showing range or diversity in a set of items.

• The prices of the same product can vary between different stores.
• The weather in this region can vary greatly from day to day.

Appropriate for indicating a difference over time or when something becomes different.

• She decided to change her hairstyle.
• The company plans to change its logo next year.

Best used when pointing out a difference between two or more things, often focusing on comparison.

• Opinions on this policy tend to differ among experts.
• Cats differ from dogs in many ways.

Suitable for describing how something rises and falls irregularly, often related to prices, numbers, or temperatures.

• The stock market tends to fluctuate daily.
• His mood fluctuates throughout the day.

Used to express a change or difference in conditions, amount, or level, typically within certain limits.

• The prices vary depending on the season.
• Her mood can vary from day to day.

Commonly used in the context of adding variety or expanding in different directions to not rely on a single source or strategy.

• The farmer decided to diversify his crops to manage risk.
• The company plans to diversify its product range to attract more customers.

Typically refers to a situation where things are confused or mixed together incorrectly; often has a negative connotation.

• There was a mix-up at the airport, and her luggage got lost.
• I apologize for the mix-up, we sent you the wrong order.

Used to indicate making partial changes to something, often to improve it or make it more suitable for a specific purpose.

• You might need to modify your diet to include more vegetables.
• The software can be modified to suit the user’s needs.

Often used to describe a slight change in appearance, character, or structure, typically to improve or make it more suitable.

• She decided to alter her wedding dress to fit better.
• The company needs to alter its policies to be more competitive.

You can use this word when talking about differences or changes in characteristics, amounts, or types.

• The weather can vary greatly from day to day
• The participants in the study vary in age

This word is appropriate when someone or something moves away from an established course or norm. It often suggests a deliberate or noticeable difference.

• He decided to deviate from the original plan
• She tends to deviate from social norms, which makes her quite unique

This word is commonly used when someone or something moves away from the correct path or place. It often implies a mistake or unintended drift.

• Children often stray from the group during field trips
• The cat strayed far from home

Use this word when someone temporarily moves away from the main topic in speech or writing. It often has a negative connotation because it can disrupt the flow of communication.

• He began to digress while telling the story, speaking about unrelated events
• Let’s not digress from the main issue here

Veer is primarily used when something changes direction suddenly. It often describes physical movement but can also be used metaphorically.

• The car began to veer off the road
• Her career took a surprising veer into new territory