Word
variegated
Phoneticsvar·ie·gat·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvɛɹɪɡeɪtɪd/
UK/vˈeəɹɪɡˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
adj. having many different colours or patterns mixed together. You use it for leaves, cloth, or other things that are not one plain colour.
adj. showing patches, streaks, or spots of different colours; varied in appearance or character. Commonly describes foliage, fabric, or diverse collections.
Examples
“The garden has variegated leaves in green and yellow.”
“She chooses variegated yarn for the scarf to add subtle stripes of blue, grey, and cream.”
“The hillside displayed a variegated tapestry of autumn fields, hedgerows, and stone cottages softened by morning mist.”
Examples
simple
“The garden has variegated leaves in green and yellow.”
contextual
“She chooses variegated yarn for the scarf to add subtle stripes of blue, grey, and cream.”
complex
“The hillside displayed a variegated tapestry of autumn fields, hedgerows, and stone cottages softened by morning mist.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “variegated” in context.
Verb
01. become variegated
“Young leaves become variegated as they mature in spring sunlight.”
verb + adj
02. remain variegated
“The ivy will remain variegated only in bright, indirect light.”
verb + adj
03. stay variegated
“To stay variegated, the plant needs regular pruning of green shoots.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. beautifully variegated
“She wore a beautifully variegated scarf in shades of blue and green.”
adv + adj
05. highly variegated
“This highly variegated cultivar needs bright light to keep its colour.”
adv + adj
06. richly variegated
“The nursery sells richly variegated maples with cream-edged leaves.”
adv + adj
07. strikingly variegated
“The strikingly variegated leaves brighten the shady corner.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. variegated fabric
“She sewed a quilt from variegated fabric in autumn tones.”
adj + noun
09. a variegated tapestry of cultures
“The port city presents a variegated tapestry of cultures and cuisines.”
10. boast beautifully variegated foliage
“The mature shrub boasts beautifully variegated foliage all year.”
11. display strikingly variegated leaves
“The hosta bed displays strikingly variegated leaves in summer.”
12. produce delicately variegated yarn
“The mill produces delicately variegated yarn for hand knitters.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Khanna produced a dreamlike vision of biomorphic forms – pulsing blobs, splayed fingers, blooming whorls – set against variegated orange hues.” “According to Tony Le-Britton, author of new book Not Another Jungle – also the name of his plant shop in Northampton, UK, and his Instagram account – variegated plants (plants with leaves of two or more colours) are one of the biggest trends now.” Etymology
From variegate + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/variegated