What does "variation" mean?
The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.
Variation
/ˌvɛəɹɪˈeɪʃn̩/ noun
noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.
- Grammar: variation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: edition, fluctuation, variant, version.
- Useful contrasts: behavioral stability, unchanged state, no change.
- Usage evidence: In our interpretation, the output data in Table 2 is an acceptable variation of that in Table 1.
How to use "variation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "variation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "variation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "variation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "variation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "variation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "edition" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "variation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing. uncountable, usually
"Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, and individual plants are highly heterozygous and do not breed true. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better."
- 2 an activity that varies from a norm or standard wordnet
- 3 A related but distinct thing. uncountable, usually
"When the process didn't work, we tried a variation."
- 4 the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard wordnet
- 5 The angular difference at the vessel between the direction of true north and magnetic north. uncountable, usually
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure wordnet
- 7 A line of play that differs from the original. uncountable, usually
- 8 an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard wordnet
- 9 A technique where material is repeated with alterations to the melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, counterpoint or orchestration; but with some invariant characteristic, e.g. a ground bass. uncountable, usually
- 10 something a little different from others of the same type wordnet
- 11 The modification of a hereditary trait. uncountable, usually
- 12 a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished wordnet
- 13 Deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body. uncountable, usually
- 14 an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change wordnet
- 15 The situation where two or more linguistic forms appear in the same environment without a change in meaning, the choice of form being determined by factors of dialect, sociolect, register or simply the speaker's preference. uncountable, usually
- 16 (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration wordnet
- 17 (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon) wordnet
- 18 the process of varying or being varied wordnet
- 19 the angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"In our interpretation, the output data in Table 2 is an acceptable variation of that in Table 1."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "variation"?
Common synonyms include: edition, fluctuation, variant, version, aberrancy, aberration.
How do you use "variation" in a sentence?
In our interpretation, the output data in Table 2 is an acceptable variation of that in Table 1.
How do you pronounce "variation"?
Pronounced /ˌvɛəɹɪˈeɪʃn̩/.
Etymology
From Middle French variation, from Old French variacion, from Latin variātiō, from vary + -ation.