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Vary vs Fluctuate - What's the difference?

vary | fluctuate |

In transitive terms the difference between vary and fluctuate

is that vary is to make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate while fluctuate is to cause to vary irregularly.

In intransitive terms the difference between vary and fluctuate

is that vary is to be or act different from the usual while fluctuate is to undulate.

As a noun vary

is alteration; change.

vary

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To change with time or a similar parameter.
    • He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.
  • To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.
    • You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.
  • * Waller
    • Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate.
  • * Dryden
    • We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.
  • Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.
    • His mood varies by the hour.
    The sine function varies between &
  • x2212;1 and 1.
  • * Addison
    • While fear and anger, with alternate grace, / Pant in her breast, and vary in her face.
  • (of the members of a group) To display differences.
    • ''The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.
  • To be or act different from the usual.
    • I'm not comfortable with 3.Nc3 in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and play exd5.
  • To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • God hath varied their inclinations.
  • * Milton
    • God hath here / Varied his bounty so with new delights.
  • (music) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation .
  • (obsolete) To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.
  • * Webster (1623)
    • the rich jewel which we vary for

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Alteration; change.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Related terms

    * variability * variable * variance * variant * variation * varied * variety * various

    External links

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    fluctuate

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To vary irregularly; to swing.
  • To undulate.
  • To cause to vary irregularly.