# variable

> English word · Adjective · IPA [ˈvɛə.ɹi.ə.bl̩] · frequency rank #5,925

## Definitions
1. Able to vary or be varied.
2. Likely to vary.
3. Marked by diversity or difference.
4. Having no fixed quantitative value.
5. Tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.

## Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century from Old French variable, from Latin variare (“to change”), from varius (“different, various”). Equates to English vary + -able.

## Easily confused with
- **viable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/variable-vs-viable)
- **variance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/variable-vs-variance)
- **veritable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/variable-vs-veritable)
- **valuable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/valuable-vs-variable)

## Common misspellings (12)
`avriable`, `vairable`, `varaible`, `variabble`, `variabel`, `variablle`, `varialbe`, `varibale`, `variible`, `varriable`, `vraiable`, `vvariable`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/variable