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variant

n. · adj.
US //ˈvɛɹiənt// UK //vˈeəɹiənt// vari·ant
  1. 1 a different version (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a version of something that is slightly different from the main or standard type.

    a form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same thing or from a standard.

    Example

    Scientists are studying a new variant of the virus to see if it spreads faster.

    Example

    The researchers identified several genetic variants that appear to influence how the body processes certain types of medication.
  2. 2 linguistic form (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Technical Linguistics

    a different way of spelling or saying a word that has the same meaning.

    one of two or more different forms of a word or other linguistic item.

    Example

    The word 'colour' is the British variant of the American 'color'.

    Example

    The dictionary lists several regional variants for the term, reflecting the diverse dialectal history of the northern provinces.

    Usage

    Often used with 'of' to indicate the relationship to the standard form.
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  1. 3 computing variable (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    a type of data in a computer program that can hold different kinds of information.

    a data type in certain programming languages that can represent and store values of various, unrelated types.

    Example

    The programmer used a variant to store the user's input because it could be a number or a string.

    Example

    Using a variant type provides flexibility in dynamic languages, though it can lead to performance overhead compared to strictly typed variables.
  2. 4 different or diverse (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    different from others or showing variety.

    exhibiting variation or difference; differing from a standard or from other members of a group.

    Example

    The two groups had variant opinions on how to solve the problem.

    Example

    The manuscript exists in several variant forms, making it difficult for historians to determine which version is the most authentic.
Origin

Recorded since c.1380, from Old French variant, from Latin variāns, the present active participle of variō (“to change”).

Word family

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