variationnoun
uk/ˌveə.riˈeɪ.ʃən/us/ˌver.iˈeɪ.ʃən/variation noun (CHANGE)
B2 [ C or U ] a change in amount or level:
Unemployment rates among white-collar workers show much less regional variation than corresponding rates among blue-collar workers.
The medical tests showed some variation in the baby's heart rate.
global temperature variations over the last 140 years
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- A mother's ears are attuned to even the slightest variation in her baby's breathing.
- There have been wild variations in the level of spending.
- They are studying the variation in carbon emissions.
- There is a lot of variation between regions when it comes to average income.
- The instruments measure variations in the earth's temperature.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Change and changes
- a change is as good as a rest idiom
- adjustment
- alteration
- blip
- changeover
- drift
- ebb
- fluctuate
- gradation
- metamorphosis
- modulate
- paradigm shift
- perversion
- punctuated equilibrium
- sea change
- shake-up
- speciation
- step change
- tide
- twist
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variation noun (DIFFERENCE)
C2 [ C ] something that is slightly different from the usual form or arrangement:
There are wide variations in the way pensioners have benefited from the system.
The films she makes are all variations on the same theme.
[ C ] specialized music one of several short tunes that are based on the same simple tune, but are different from it and from the others:
symphonic variations
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Different and difference
- a breath of fresh air idiom
- a whole new ballgame idiom
- a world of difference idiom
- alternative
- another
- clash
- contrary
- differential
- distinction
- distinctive
- distorted
- diverge
- divergence
- divide
- otherwise
- permutation
- refreshing
- several
- step
- sundry
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Musical pieces