CHANGE - DIFFERENCE
# Change: change/ changeable/ changeability/ variable/ vary (variety/ differ (defer/ delay/ postpone))/ fluctuate/ fluctuation/ unpredictable/ unpredictability/ yo-yo/
CHANGEABLE /ˈtʃeɪndʒəbl/ (adj):
# Likely to change; often changing.
- The weather is very changeable at this time of year.
- She experienced changeable moods and panic attacks.
CHANGEABILITY /ˌtʃeɪndʒəˈbɪləti/ (n):
# [uncountable] The fact of being likely to change; the fact of changing often.
- It was the awkward changeability of weather at that time of the year.
CHANGE AROUND (phr.v):
# change something around: to move things or people into different positions
- You've changed all the furniture around.
CHANGE BACK (phr.v):
# change back (to something): to return to a previous situation, etc.
- Only time will tell whether things can ever change back to the way they were.
- The music changed back to a funky disco beat.
VARIABLE /ˈveriəbl/ or /ˈværiəbl/ (adj):
# Often changing; likely to change.
SYNONYM: Fluctuating;
COMPARE: Invariable;
- Variable temperatures.
- The acting is of variable quality (= some of it is good and some of it is bad).
# Able to be changed.
- The drill has variable speed control.
- The kitchen boasts stylish units and variable lighting.
- These systems are infinitely variable.
VARIABLE /ˈveriəbl/ or /ˈværiəbl/ (n):
# a situation, number or quantity that can vary or be varied.
OPPOSITE: Constant;
- With so many variables, it is difficult to calculate the cost.
- The temperature remained constant while pressure was a variable in the experiment.
VARY /ˈveri/ or /ˈværi/ (v):
# [intransitive] (of a group of similar things) to be different from each other in size, shape, etc.
- New techniques were introduced with varying degrees of success.
- Estimates of how many civilians were killed varied widely.
- Class size varies greatly.
- Vary in something: The students' work varies considerably in quality.
- The rooms vary in size.
- There are a number of routes to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty.
# [intransitive] to change or be different according to the situation.
- vary with something: The menu varies with the season.
- vary by something: Cancer rates vary significantly by gender and ethnicity.
- vary from somebody/something to somebody/something: Results can vary greatly from year to year.
- vary between A and B: Class numbers vary between 25 and 30.
- Costs are likely to vary depending on where you live.
- vary according to something: Prices vary according to the type of room you require.
# [transitive] vary something to make changes to something to make it slightly different.
- The job enables me to vary the hours I work.
- The aerobics instructor varies the routine each week.
- Consumers may apply to the lender to vary the terms of their contract.
- Drivers need to take note of the weather conditions and vary their speed accordingly.
YMMV (idiom): your mileage may vary.
# (informal) used to say that people may experience a particular thing in different ways.
- Highly recommend the company! Of course, your mileage may vary.
VARIED /ˈverid/ (adj):
# (usually approving) of many different types.
- varied opinions.
- They stock a wide and varied selection of cheeses.
# not staying the same, but changing often.
- He led a full and varied life.
- I've had a varied career.
VARIETY /vəˈraɪəti/ (n) (plural varieties):
# [singular + singular or plural verb] variety (of something): several different sorts of the same thing.
- There is a wide variety of patterns to choose from.
- He resigned for a variety of reasons.
# [uncountable] the quality of not being the same or not doing the same thing all the time.
SYNONYM: Diversity;
- It's the variety that makes my job so enjoyable.
- We all need variety in our diet.
- We want more variety in our work.
VARIATION /ˌveriˈeɪʃn/ (n):
# [countable, uncountable] variation (in/of something): a change, especially in the amount or level of something.
- The dial records very slight variations in pressure.
- Currency exchange rates are always subject to variation.
- regional/ seasonal variation (= depending on the region or time of year).
VARIANT /ˈveriənt/ or /ˈværiənt/ (adj):
# [only before noun] slightly different in form or type from something else.
- variant forms of spelling.
VARIANT /ˈveriənt/ or /ˈværiənt/ (n):
# variant (of/on something): a thing that is a slightly different form or type of something else.
- This game is a variant of baseball.
- a variant of the original experiment.
- a variant on a familiar theme.
VARIABLY /ˈveriəbli/ or /ˈværiəbli/ (adv):
# in a way that can change or vary.
- cells with variably sized nuclei.
# in a variety of ways.
- Since the early '80s, her work has been variably classified as new wave, prog or art rock.
DISCREPANCY /dɪˈskrepənsi/ (n):
# [countable, uncountable] (plural discrepancies) a difference between two or more things that should be the same.
- discrepancy (in something): wide discrepancies in prices quoted for the work.
- discrepancy between A and B: What are the reasons for the discrepancy between girls' and boys' performance in school?
STEADILY /ˈstedəli/ (v):
# gradually and in an even and regular way.
- The company's exports have been increasing steadily.
- The situation got steadily worse.
# without changing or being interrupted.
- He looked at her steadily.
- The rain fell steadily.
STEADY /ˈstedi/ (adj):
# (comparative steadier, superlative steadiest) developing, growing, etc. gradually and in an even and regular way.
SYNONYM: constant;
- We've had five years of steady economic growth.
- The last decade has seen a steady decline in the number of birds nesting here.
- There has been a gradual but steady increase in prices.
- The castle receives a steady stream of visitors.
- There seemed to be a steady flow of customers all day.
# not changing and not interrupted.
SYNONYM: regular;
- a steady boyfriend/ girlfriend (= with whom you have a serious relationship or one that has lasted a long time).
- to have a steady relationship.
# fixed in a place or position, supported or balanced; controlled and not shaking or likely to fall down.
- He held the boat steady as she got in.
- I met his steady gaze.
- Such fine work requires a good eye and a steady hand.
- She’s not very steady on her feet these days.
OPPOSITE: unsteady;
# (of a person) sensible; who can be relied on.
STEADY /ˈstedi/ (adv):
# in a way that is steady and does not change or shake.
- In trading today the dollar held steady against the yen.
>>> Go steady (with somebody) (idiom):
# (old-fashioned, informal) to have a romantic or sexual relationship with somebody, in which you see the other person regularly.
- They’ve been going steady for a year now.
STABLE /ˈsteɪbl/ (adj):
# fixed or steady; not likely to move, change or fail.
SYNONYM: steady;
- The patient's condition is stable (= it is not getting worse).
- Cattle prices remain stable.
- This ladder doesn't seem very stable.
- This would result in a more stable environment for the children.
- a stable relationship.
# (of a person) calm and reasonable; not easily upset.
SYNONYM: balanced;
- Mentally, she is not very stable.
- He was not emotionally stable enough to think through his decision.
- Psychiatric officials determined that he was psychologically stable.
STABLE /ˈsteɪbl/ (v):
# stable something: to put or keep a horse in a stable.
- Where do you stable your pony?
FLUCTUATE /ˈflʌktʃueɪt/ (v):
# [intransitive] To change frequently in size, amount, quality, etc., especially from one extreme to another.
- Fluctuating prices.
- The documentary follows the fluctuating fortunes of one marketing company.
- Fluctuate between A and B: During the crisis, oil prices fluctuated between $20 and $40 a barrel.
- + adv./prep.: Temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees.
- My weight fluctuated wildly depending on how much I ate.
- My mood seems to fluctuate from day to day.
- The rate of inflation has been fluctuating around 4% for some time.
FLUCTUATION /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/ (n):
# [countable, uncountable] fluctuation (in/of something): one of several changes in size, amount, quality, etc. that happen frequently, especially from one extreme to another; the act of changing frequently like this.
- wild fluctuations in interest rates.
- the constant fluctuation of oil prices.
- currency/ temperature fluctuations.
UNPREDICTABLE /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl/ (adj):
# that cannot be predicted because it changes a lot or depends on too many different things.
- The unpredictable weather in the mountains can make climbing extremely hazardous.
- The result is entirely unpredictable.
- Role play trains students to deal with the unpredictable nature of language.
# if a person is unpredictable, you cannot predict how they will behave in a particular situation.
- Her behaviour became so unpredictable when she had been drinking.
- No-one knows where they stand with him; he is utterly unpredictable.
UNPREDICTABLY /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbli/ (adv):
# in a way that cannot be predicted.
- It is known that wildfires behave unpredictably.
UNPREDICTABILITY /ˌʌnprɪˌdɪktəˈbɪləti/ (n):
# [uncountable] the quality something has when it is impossible to know in advance that it will happen or what it will be like.
- the unpredictability of the English weather.
CUSTOMIZE /ˈkʌstəmaɪz/ (v):
# Customize something: to make or change something to suit the needs of the owner or user.
- You can customize the software in several ways.
CUSTOMIZABLE /ˈkʌstəmaɪzəbl/ (adj):
# able to be made or changed in ways that suit individual people or tasks.
- The app is fully customizable and allows users to create their own word lists.
TITIVATE /ˈtɪtɪveɪt/ (v):
# to improve the appearance of somebody/ something by making small changes.
- She titivated her hair in the mirror.
DIVERSITY /daɪˈvɜːrsəti/ (n):
# (plural diversities) [uncountable, countable, usually singular] a range of many people or things that are very different from each other.
- the biological diversity of the rainforests.
- a great/ wide/ rich diversity of opinion.
# [uncountable] the quality or fact of including a range of many people or things.
- There is a need for greater diversity and choice in education.
- The company is working to improve its profile in terms of diversity and inclusion (= offering equal opportunities to people from minority groups).
OTHERWISE /ˈʌðərwaɪz/ (adv):
# used to state what the result would be if something did not happen or if the situation were different.
- My parents lent me the money. Otherwise, I couldn't have afforded the trip.
- Shut the window, otherwise it'll get too cold in here.
- We're committed to the project. We wouldn't be here otherwise.
# apart from that.
- There was some music playing upstairs. Otherwise the house was silent.
- He was slightly bruised but otherwise unhurt.
# in a different way to the way mentioned; differently.
- Bismarck, otherwise known as ‘the Iron Chancellor’
- It is not permitted to sell or otherwise distribute copies of past examination papers.
- You know what this is about. Why pretend otherwise (= that you do not)?
- He maintains that he is innocent, but the police are looking for evidence and witnesses to prove otherwise.
- Even when common sense would suggest otherwise, optimism reigns.
- I wanted to see him but he was otherwise engaged (= doing something else).
>>> know different/ otherwise (idiom):
# (informal) to have information or evidence that the opposite is true.
- You'd think this was a high-budget film if you didn't know otherwise.
>>> or otherwise (idiom):
# used to refer to something that is different from or the opposite of what has just been mentioned.
- It was necessary to discover the truth or otherwise of these statements.
- We insure against all damage, accidental or otherwise.
DIFFERENT /ˈdɪfrənt/ (adj):
# not the same as somebody/ something; not like somebody/ something else.
- different from somebody/something: American English is significantly different from British English.
- different to somebody/ something (especially British English): It's slightly different to what I'm used to.
- different than somebody/ something (especially North American English): He's different than the rest.
- It's completely different now than it was a year ago.
# [only before noun] separate and individual.
- Each chapter deals with a different type of business.
- She offered us five different kinds of cake.
- We're helping society in many different ways.
- The programme was about customs in different parts of the country.
# [not usually before noun] (informal) unusual; not like other people or things.
- "Did you enjoy the play?" "Well, it was certainly different!"
>>> be another/a different matter (idiom):
# to be very different.
I know which area they live in, but whether I can find their house is a different matter.
That's a whole different matter.
I don't mind lizards, but snakes are a different matter.
>>> a different kettle of fish (idiom):
# (informal) a completely different situation or person from the one previously mentioned.
>>> know different/ otherwise (idiom):
(informal) to have information or evidence that the opposite is true.
He says he doesn't care about what the critics write, but I know different.
>>> march to (the beat of) a different drummer/ drum | march to a different beat/ tune (idiom):
# to behave in a different way from other people; to have different attitudes or ideas.
She was a gifted and original artist who marched to a different drummer.
>>> pull in different/ opposite directions (idiom):
# to have different aims that cannot be achieved together without causing problems.
There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
>>> put a new/ different complexion on something (idiom):
# to change the way that a situation appears.
What you have told us puts a different complexion on the situation.
The joke took on a rather serious complexion when the police became involved.
>>> sing a different tune (idiom):
# to change your opinion about somebody/ something or your attitude towards somebody/ something.
>>> tell a different story/ tale (idiom):
# to give some information that is different from what you expect or have been told.
These drugs are widely believed to be effective medications. The data, however, tell a different story.
DIFFERENTLY /ˈdɪfrəntli/ (adv):
# in a different way from somebody/ something.
- Boys and girls may behave differently.
- He didn't like being treated differently.
- What will you do differently next time?
- Eddie comes from an older generation that thought differently than we do.
DIFFERENTIATE /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt/ (v):
# [intransitive, transitive] to recognize or show that two things are not the same.
SYNONYM: distinguish;
- differentiate (between) A and B: It's difficult to differentiate between the two varieties.
- differentiate A (from B): I can't differentiate one variety from another.
- The male's yellow beak differentiates it from the female.
- features which clearly differentiate this product from other similar ones.
# [intransitive] differentiate (between A and B): to treat people or things in a different way, especially in an unfair way.
SYNONYM: discriminate;
- Rules that differentiate between employees on the basis of gender need to be revised.
DIFFERENTIAL /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl/ (adj):
# [only before noun] (formal) showing or depending on a difference; not equal.
- the differential treatment of prisoners based on sex and social class.
- differential rates of pay.
DIFFERENTIAL /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl/ (n):
# differential (between A and B): a difference in the amount, value or size of something, especially the difference in rates of pay for people doing different work in the same industry or profession.
- wage/ pay/ income differentials.
DIFFERENTIATION /ˌdɪfəˌrenʃiˈeɪʃn/ (n):
# [uncountable, singular] the act of recognizing or showing that two things are not the same.
- product differentiation.
- differentiation between/ of A and B: There needs to be a clear differentiation between communal and private areas of the house.
# [uncountable] differentiation between/among A and B: treatment of people or things in different ways, especially unfairly.
SYNONYM: discrimination;
- a policy that makes no differentiation among ethnic groups.
DIFFER /ˈdɪfər/ (v):
# [intransitive] to be different from somebody/ something.
- They hold differing views.
- A differs from B: French differs from English in this respect.
- A and B differ (from each other): French and English differ in this respect.
- differ between A and B: Ideas on childcare may differ considerably between the parents.
# [intransitive] to disagree with somebody.
- differ (with somebody) (about/on/over something): I have to differ with you on that.
- differ (as to something): Medical opinion differs as to how to treat the disease.
>>> agree to differ/ disagree (idiom):
# if two people agree to differ/ disagree, they accept that they have different opinions about something, but they decide not to discuss it any longer.
We must just agree to differ on this.
In the end we agreed to disagree.
I think you're wrong. Let's just agree to differ.
>>> I beg to differ (idiom):
# used to say politely that you do not agree with something that has just been said.
- "At least she is good at her job." "Oh, I beg to differ."
SIMILARLY /ˈsɪmələrli/ (adv):
# in almost the same way.
- It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars.
- He has a similarly impressive record in the sport.
- Husband and wife were similarly successful in their chosen careers.
- similarly to somebody/ something: Phosphorus behaves similarly to nitrogen.
>>> Vive la difference /ˌviːv lɑː ˌdɪfəˈrɒns/ or /ˌviːv lɑː ˌdɪfəˈrɑːns/ (exclamation):
# (from French, humorous) used to show that you think it is good that there is a difference between two people or things, especially a difference between men and women.
ALTERNATIVELY /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪvli/ (adv):
# used to introduce a suggestion that is a second choice or possibility.
- The agency will make travel arrangements for you. Alternatively, you can organize your own transport.