variegated

/ˈveəriəɡeɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɛrɪɡetɪd] /ˈverɪɡeɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɛrɪɡetɪd] /ˈver-ē-ə-ˌgā-təd How to pronounce variegated (audio) ˈver-i-ˌgā-/ (ame, mw)

variegated — adjective

  • variegatedpositive
  • more variegatedcomparative
  • most variegatedsuperlative

1. covered with patches, streaks, or spots of different colours that create an irre

1.形容詞B2
釋義

covered with patches, streaks, or spots of different colours that create an irregular pattern on the surface, instead of being all one solid colour

例句

Daichi carefully trimmed the variegated ivy whose leaves showed streaks of cream and green.

attributive use: variegated ivy / variegated leaves

Sana's cat had a variegated coat with ginger, black, and white patches.

collocation: variegated coat / variegated fur

同義詞
  • multicoloured

    simply means many colours without the irregular patchy pattern that variegated implies

  • mottled

    more specific to blotchy spots rather than streaks; common for skin, fur, or stone surfaces

  • streaked

    specifically about lines of colour, but misses the spotted aspect of variegated

  • dappled

    describes patches of light and shade on a surface, not precise colour markings

反義詞

用法筆記

Commonly used to describe the leaves of ornamental plants (such as hostas, ivy, calatheas, and prayer plants) or the fur and feathers of animals with irregular colour patches.

常見錯誤

❌The rainbow has variegated colours.
✅The rainbow has many colours.
💡A rainbow shows a smooth gradient, not the irregular patchy pattern that 'variegated' describes.
❌She wore a variegated striped dress.
✅She wore a striped dress.
💡'Variegated' is for irregular, blotchy patterns, not neat repeating stripes.

2. made up of a wide mix of different kinds of things, people, or qualities rather

2.形容詞C1
釋義

made up of a wide mix of different kinds of things, people, or qualities rather than being limited to one type

例句

Heather's class was a variegated group of students from over a dozen different countries.

predicative use: a variegated group

The festival programme offers a variegated mix of music, theatre, dance, and film.

同義詞
  • diverse

    the common everyday word; variegated is more literary and suggests a carefully noticed assortment

  • varied

    more general than variegated; used for any kind of difference or range

  • eclectic

    suggests deliberate selection from many different sources, a narrower and more intentional meaning

反義詞
  • uniform

    all the same, without variety or difference

  • homogeneous

    composed of similar or identical elements

用法筆記

More formal than 'diverse' or 'varied'. Typically found in written descriptions of cultural, artistic, demographic, or intellectual variety rather than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌My opinions on the film are variegated.
✅My opinions on the film are mixed.
💡'Variegated' describes the composition of a group or collection, not a single person's mixed feelings.
❌The menu offers a variegated selection of burgers.
✅The menu offers a varied selection of burgers.
💡'Variegated' is too formal for everyday food descriptions; use 'varied' or 'diverse' instead.