varied
gb/vˈɛɹid/ us/vˈɛɹid/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having many different kinds
with many different kinds; not all the same
Usage pattern:
a varied [diet/menu/program/selection]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse varied with various. Various means “several different,” while varied emphasizes “a wide mix” or “lots of variety.”
Synonyms
diverse (Often used in more formal writing about people, cultures, or ideas.)
|
wide-ranging (Emphasizes breadth across many areas.)
|
mixed (Suggests different things combined together.)
Antonyms
uniform (All the same type, with little or no difference.)
|
homogeneous (More formal; made up of similar parts.)
Collocations
a varied diet
|a varied menu
|a varied program
|a varied selection
|a varied range
|a rich and varied history
|a varied landscape
|varied backgrounds
|varied activities
|varied experiences
Themes
daily_life
|food
|culture
|education
Examples
- The city has a varied food scene, from street stalls to fine dining.
- We offer a varied selection of courses for beginners and advanced students.
- Her work draws on a varied set of influences.
Learner examples
- I try to eat a varied diet.
- The museum has a varied collection.
adjective
B2
property
2
different in amount or character
different in different situations; not always the same
Usage pattern:
varied [results/opinions/conditions/levels]
Common mistake:
Varied does not mean “very” (it means “different”). Avoid using it where you mean “various” or “many.”
Synonyms
different (General, very common synonym with less emphasis on range.)
|
uneven (Often implies inconsistency in quality or performance.)
|
variable (More technical/academic; emphasizes changeability.)
Antonyms
consistent (The same in behavior, level, or quality over time.)
|
stable (Not changing much; steady.)
Collocations
varied results
|varied opinions
|varied responses
|varied conditions
|varied levels
|varied quality
|highly varied
|widely varied
|varied needs
|varied outcomes
Themes
daily_life
|work
|science
Examples
- Customer reviews were varied, with some people loving the product and others returning it.
- The test results were varied across age groups.
- Weather conditions are varied along the coast.
Learner examples
- Opinions were varied.
- The quality was varied.
adjective
B2
property
3
made interesting by changes
with different activities so it is not boring
Usage pattern:
a varied [routine/training plan/workout/schedule]
Common mistake:
Varied is about adding variety; it does not mean “busy” or “full.”
Synonyms
interesting (Focuses on enjoyment, not necessarily variety.)
|
diversified (Often used for plans, investments, or activities; slightly more formal.)
|
not monotonous (States the idea directly; common in explanations.)
Antonyms
monotonous (Dull because it never changes.)
|
repetitive (Repeating the same thing too often.)
Collocations
a varied routine
|a varied workout
|a varied training program
|keep things varied
|a varied schedule
|a varied lesson plan
|varied exercises
|a varied approach
|a varied pace
|a varied diet
Themes
daily_life
|health
|education
|entertainment
Examples
- To stay motivated, she keeps her workouts varied.
- The teacher uses games and discussion to make lessons more varied.
- A varied routine can help you avoid overuse injuries.
Learner examples
- I like a varied routine.
- She makes her classes varied.
Verb
B2
action
4
differed or changed (intransitive)
was different at different times or in different places
Usage pattern:
[something] varied (greatly/widely) (from [a] to [b])
Common mistake:
Don’t use was varied when you mean changed by itself. Say Prices varied (not Prices were varied) unless someone caused the change.
Synonyms
differed (Emphasizes contrast between two or more things.)
|
changed (General synonym; can suggest movement over time more than comparison.)
|
fluctuated (Suggests repeated up-and-down changes, especially with numbers.)
Antonyms
stayed the same (No change or difference across cases.)
|
remained constant (More formal; especially for measurements or rates.)
Collocations
varied widely
|varied greatly
|varied considerably
|varied from person to person
|varied from place to place
|varied over time
|varied by region
|varied between groups
|varied by age
|varied depending on
Themes
daily_life
|business
|science
Examples
- Ticket prices varied depending on the day of the week.
- The answers varied, but most people agreed on the main point.
- Reaction times varied widely among participants.
Learner examples
- Prices varied a lot.
- Results varied by region.
Verb
B2
action
5
changed something to add variety
changed something to make it different
Usage pattern:
varied [something] (by/with [something])
Common mistake:
Varied is transitive when someone actively changes something (She varied her diet). Use varied (intransitive) when the subject changes by itself (Her diet varied).
Synonyms
altered (Slightly more formal; focuses on making a change.)
|
modified (Often suggests a small or careful change.)
|
mixed up (Informal; emphasizes doing things differently to avoid boredom.)
Antonyms
kept the same (Did not change it at all.)
|
standardized (Made it uniform in form or method.)
Collocations
varied his routine
|varied her diet
|varied the pace
|varied the menu
|varied the wording
|varied the pattern
|varied the tone
|varied the program
|varied the exercises
|varied the approach
Themes
daily_life
|work
|writing
|music
Examples
- To keep readers engaged, she varied the sentence length.
- He varied the training plan by adding swimming and cycling.
- The chef varied the sauce with different herbs each week.
Learner examples
- She varied her diet.
- He varied the pace.
Grammar
Dictionary form
varied
IPA
GB/vˈɛɹid/
US/vˈɛɹid/
Syllables & stress
var - ied (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (var)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: varied
Expressions
varied and sundry
1/vˈɛɹid ˈænd sˈʌndɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
of many different kinds
many different types of things
Examples
- The report covers varied and sundry topics related to customer service.
- He gave varied and sundry reasons for being late, none very convincing.