var

Everyday

1. In computer programming, «var» is a short keyword for «variable», a named box that holds a value (used in JavaScript and other languages). tree →
2. VAR in football (soccer) stands for «video assistant referee»: officials who watch replays on screens to help the referee. tree →
3. «var.» is short for «variety» in plant names, and «var» can be short for «variance» in maths and statistics. tree →
4. In notes on old texts, "var." means a different wording found in another copy of the text. tree →

In the lessons

In coding lessons «var score = 0;» makes a variable called score. In football talk, «VAR checked the goal» means the video referee looked at it. In maths, «var» is mostly for older students (variance tells how spread out numbers are). On its own «var» is not a word you say in normal sentences.

Examples

• In JavaScript, «var age = 10;» makes a variable. tree →
• The goal was cancelled after a VAR check. tree →
• Fans waited while VAR looked at the replay. tree →
• The referee went to the VAR screen. tree →
• The seed packet says «Rosa var. alba». tree →
• Newer JavaScript code uses «let» more than «var». tree →

Note

Abbreviation, not an English word on its own. Write VAR in capitals for the football system, lower case «var» in code. Pronounced «var» or «V-A-R» for football, depending on the country.