variation

Meaning

1. (uncountable, usually) The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.
2. (uncountable, usually) A related but distinct thing.
3. (uncountable, usually) The angular difference at the vessel between the direction of true north and magnetic north.
4. (uncountable, usually) A line of play that differs from the original.
5. (uncountable, usually) 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.
6. (uncountable, usually) The modification of a hereditary trait.
7. (uncountable, usually) Deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body.
8. (uncountable, usually) 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.

Synonyms

change

alteration

difference

mutation

modification

fluctuation

variety

variance

deviation

variant

transition

shift

version

declination

alternation

sport

discrepancy

magnetic variation

vary

deflection

diversity

mutant

conversion

dissimilarity

differentiation

pas seul

metamorphosis

magnetic declination

variability

anomaly

transmutation

vicissitude

species

shade

switch

abnormality

edition

sort

drift

transformation

variant pattern

divergence

disunion

distinction

dissociation

contrast

metamorphose

melody

disaffection

combination

Translations

variation

variazione

variación

Variation

variação

Veränderung

variació

afwisseling

παραλλαγή

variatie

fluctuation

Änderung

variante

mudança

changement

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌvɛəɹɪˈeɪʃn̩/

Etymology

From Middle French variation, from Old French variacion, from Latin variātiō, from vary + -ation.