variation
/ˌveəriˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌveriˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən/ (ame, mw)
variation — noun
- variationsingular
- variationsplural
1. a difference in the amount, level, or degree of something when compared with the
a difference in the amount, level, or degree of something when compared with the same thing at a different time or place.
The temperature in Taipei shows little variation between summer and winter.
variation between [two things]
Doctors noted a wide variation in how patients responded to the same drug.
variation in [something]
Brandon checked the variation of monthly rainfall across the island.
There is always some variation in the quality of hand-made goods.
Scientists measured the variation in heart rate during the experiment.
- fluctuation
suggests repeated, often irregular changes over time, especially in numbers or levels
- difference
more general; does not imply change over time, just a lack of sameness
- diversity
focuses on variety among items in a group rather than change in one thing
- uniformity
the state of being the same across all cases
- consistency
the quality of staying the same over time
文法句型
variation (in/between/of + noun)
用法筆記
Commonly used with prepositions 'in' (the thing that changes) and 'between' (the things being compared). Both countable and uncountable forms are frequent; the uncountable form is more common when referring to the general concept of change.
常見錯誤
2. a product, design, or form that keeps the basic identity of the original while c
a product, design, or form that keeps the basic identity of the original while changing certain minor features — a recipe with a new ingredient or a dress in a fresh colour are everyday examples.
Hui tried a new variation of the pasta dish by adding mushrooms.
This car is a modern variation on the classic design from the 1960s.
variation on [a theme/tradition]
The artist painted several variations of the same mountain scene.
Each store sells its own variation of the popular rice cracker snack.
Renata created a vegetarian variation of her grandmother's beef stew.
- version
more neutral; a variation implies a deliberate change from an original
- adaptation
suggests the change was made to suit a new purpose or environment
- alternative
focuses on being a choice rather than a modified version
- standard
the original or usual version without changes
文法句型
variation (of/on + noun)
用法筆記
Typically used countably. 'Variation on a theme' is a common idiomatic pattern. 'Variation of' introduces a specific item; 'variation on' often introduces a creative adaptation of an established idea or design.
常見錯誤
3. a short piece of music that keeps the basic structure of a main tune but changes
a short piece of music that keeps the basic structure of a main tune but changes its melody, rhythm, or harmony — often one of several such pieces that together form a larger work.
The pianist played a beautiful slow variation on the familiar folk tune.
variation on [a tune]
Elgar's Enigma Variations contain fourteen different variations on a hidden theme.
Amira listened to the final variation, which was faster and louder than the rest.
In the second variation the composer changed the time signature entirely.
文法句型
variation (on + a theme/tune)
用法筆記
Primarily a music theory term. Often appears in the fixed phrase 'variations on a theme'. Frequently used with ordinal numbers (first variation, second variation) to refer to sequential sections of a piece.