Origin: Latin suffix -able
Variable has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation
"the weather is one variable to be considered"
a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
"In the physics experiment, the student varied the temperature to see how it affected the reaction rate."
a star that varies noticeably in brightness
"The amateur astronomer set up his telescope to track the variable, knowing its light would flicker unpredictably night after night."
a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
"In the equation, the letter x represents a variable whose value can change depending on the input."
Something that is variable.
"The weather has been highly variable lately, shifting from sunshine to rain within hours."
In plain English: A variable is something that can change or take on different values.
"The recipe calls for a variable amount of sugar depending on how sweet you like it."
liable to or capable of change
"rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable"
"variable winds"
"variable expenses"
(used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied
"a variable capacitor"
"variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights"
Able to vary or be varied.
"The amount of rain is a variable that changes from day to day, making it hard to plan outdoor events."
In plain English: A variable is something that can change or be different depending on the situation.
"The variable weather made it hard to plan our outdoor event."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe anything that can change, such as weather conditions or experimental settings. It is often confused with the noun form meaning an unknown quantity in mathematics or logic.
The word "variable" entered Middle English in the 14th century via Old French and Latin, where it originally meant "to change." It is formed by combining the root of the verb "vary" with the suffix "-able," indicating something capable of being changed.