Word
variant
Phoneticsvari·ant
US/ˈvɛɹiənt/
UK/vˈeəɹiənt/
Definitions
01a different version
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a version of something that is slightly different from the main or standard type.
n. a form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same thing or from a standard.
“Scientists are studying a new variant of the virus to see if it spreads faster.”
“The researchers identified several genetic variants that appear to influence how the body processes certain types of medication.”
02linguistic form
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Linguistics Academic · Technical
n. a different way of spelling or saying a word that has the same meaning.
n. one of two or more different forms of a word or other linguistic item.
“The word 'colour' is the British variant of the American 'color'.”
“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.
Synonyms
03computing variable
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a type of data in a computer program that can hold different kinds of information.
n. a data type in certain programming languages that can represent and store values of various, unrelated types.
“The programmer used a variant to store the user's input because it could be a number or a string.”
“Using a variant type provides flexibility in dynamic languages, though it can lead to performance overhead compared to strictly typed variables.”
Synonyms
04different or diverse
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. different from others or showing variety.
adj. exhibiting variation or difference; differing from a standard or from other members of a group.
“The two groups had variant opinions on how to solve the problem.”
“The manuscript exists in several variant forms, making it difficult for historians to determine which version is the most authentic.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “variant” in context.
Adjective
01. different variant
“Scientists are studying a different variant of the virus to see if the current vaccine is still effective.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“If we had an AI model for the entire gene expression code, we would be able to predict the activity of each of the different variants of genes in different people.” “Useful variants could then become more common as they were passed from one generation to the next.” Etymology
Recorded since c.1380, from Old French variant, from Latin variāns, the present active participle of variō (“to change”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/variant