# vary

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈvɛəɹi/ · frequency rank #4,724

## Definitions
1. To change with time or a similar parameter.
2. To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.
3. Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.
4. To display differences.
5. To be or act different from the usual.
6. To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversify; to variegate.
7. To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation.
8. To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.

## Etymology
From Middle English varien, from Old French varier, from Latin variō (“to change, alter, make different”), from varius (“different, various”); see various.

## Easily confused with
- **VR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vr)
- **vat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vat)
- **vas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vas)
- **VCR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vcr)
- **vor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vor)
- **vax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vax)
- **very** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-very)
- **vast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vast)
- **verb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-verb)
- **vera** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vera)
- **vase** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vase)
- **vert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vert)
- **vers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vary-vs-vers)
- **VA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/va-vs-vary)
- **van** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/van-vs-vary)
- **val** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/val-vs-vary)
- **VAR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/var-vs-vary)
- **vac** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vac-vs-vary)
- **vag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vag-vs-vary)
- **vain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vary)

## Common misspellings (6)
`avry`, `varry`, `varyy`, `vayr`, `vray`, `vvary`

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