2 meanings
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1 —as in:
a variation on a theme
Definition
something that is different than others of its type (synonyms could include: adaptation, version, alternate form)- Scientists are worried about a new variation of the virus.
variation = version (something that is different than others of its type)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- I've heard three variations of that joke.
- Over the years there have been many variations of the Snickers Bar such as the Snickers Almond bar and Snickers Ice Cream bar.
- Highly empathetic people are more likely to have a gene variation associated with trust and caring.
- There are some complex maze variations I'd like him to learn to be sure he keeps in shape.Daniel Keyes -- Flowers for Algernon — Novel
- It was a sweltering afternoon, but Roy had resigned himself to the fact that there was no change of seasons in South Florida, only mild variations of summer.Carl Hiassen -- Hoot
- While we were in Midland, Mom painted dozens of variations and studies of the Joshua tree.Jeannette Walls -- The Glass Castle
- Every other sin is a variation of theft.Khaled Hosseini -- The Kite Runner
- With many variations, suggested by the nature of his building materials, diversity of climate, and a different mode of social life, Governor Bellingham had planned his new habitation after the residences of gentlemen of fair estate in his native land.Nathaniel Hawthorne -- The Scarlet Letter
- I stopped for a long time to let my nerves settle, then leaned back from my tools and stared up at the face above, searching for a hint of solid ice, for some variation in the underlying rock strata, for anything that would allow passage over the frosted slabs.Jon Krakauer -- Into the Wild
variations = versions (things that are different than others of their type)
variations = versions (things that are different than others of their type)
variation = version (something that is different than others of its type)
variations = differences
variations = differences
variations = things that are different than others of their type
variation = something that is different than others of its type
variations = differences
variation = something different than the rest
2 —as in:
a 60% variation
Definition
difference — typically between things of the same type, or within a limited range- They found a variation of 600% in the cost of having a baby—largely determined by which hospital was selected for delivery.
variation = difference
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- The variation in medical prices can be shocking.
- They studied regional language variation by analyzing Twitter data.
- When all other factors are the same, WalletHub's study found an average of a 65% variation in the cost of auto insurance depending upon whether the insured has excellent credit or no credit history.
- "How the pleasing plague had stolen on him" he could not say; and before he had expressed the same sentiment with a little variation of words three times over, his sister eagerly interrupted him with, "Ah, my dear Henry, and this is what took you to London!"Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- She began to feel that she had not yet gone through all the changes of opinion and sentiment which the progress of time and variation of circumstances occasion in this world of changes.Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- My most absorbing interests at the present time are etymologies of ancient languages, the newer works on the calculus of variations, and Hindu history.Daniel Keyes -- Flowers for Algernon — Novel
- Little in mathematics beyond the elementary level of calculus of variations, and nothing at all about Banach algebra or Riemannian manifolds.Daniel Keyes -- Flowers for Algernon — Novel
variation = difference
variation = difference
variation = difference
variation = difference
variation = difference
variations = changes
variations = changes
Less commonly:
See a comprehensive dictionary for specialized meanings in mathematics, music, dance, astronomy, biology, and physics.
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