Variation Slight Time Noun Bre ˌveəriˈeɪʃn ˌveriˈeɪʃn Dial

• 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)
• this soup is a spicy variation on a traditional favourite.

variation

1. 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)
2. a thing that is different from other things in the same general group
• This soup is a spicy variation on a traditional favourite.
3. any of a set of short pieces of music based on a simple tune repeated in a different and more complicated form
• See related entries: Pieces of music
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/topic/pieces_of_music/variation
• a set of variations on a theme by Mozart
• His numerous complaints are all variations on a theme (= all about the same thing).

Extra Examples

• Considerable variation was found in the terms offered by different banks.
• His numerous complaints are all variations on a theme.
• She is studying language variation across the social range.
• The businesses showed a dramatic variation in how they treated their staff.
• There is little variation by sex or social class in these attitudes.
• There may be striking variations within a species.
• slight variations in pressure
• subtle variations of colour and design
• subtle variations of light and texture
• temperature variation with altitude
• the story is a variation on ‘Treasure Island’
• variation according to the time of year
• variation among the students in terms of ability
• variations between different accents
• There is considerable variation in tastes across the country.
• We need to take seasonal variation into account.
• local/regional/geographical/environmental/climatic/cultural/ethnic variation
• regional variations in voting patterns

Word Origin

• late Middle English (denoting variance or conflict): from Old French, or from Latin variatio(n-), from the verb variare, from varius ‘diverse’.