Meaning & use

variable

noun·Academic

A symbol that represents a value that may change or is not yet known.

See it in a sentence

In x + 4 = 9, the variable x represents 5.

We used the variable t for the number of minutes.

A note on using this word

In an equation, a variable may have a value to solve for; in a formula, it can stand for many possible values.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A characteristic or quantity that can have different values in an investigation.

Water temperature was the variable we changed in the experiment.

Make it your own

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