variant

Everyday

1. A slightly different form or version of something, such as a different spelling of a word or a different version of a game. tree →
2. A new form of a virus or other living thing whose genes have changed a little, for example a Covid variant. tree →
3. (adjective, formal) Different from the usual form. tree →

In the lessons

In spelling lessons a variant is another accepted way to write a word: "color" is the US variant of "colour". In games and puzzles a variant changes one rule. In science and the news, a variant is a changed form of a germ, which might spread faster. In maths, people may speak of a variant of a problem: the same problem with small changes. Phrases: "a variant of", "a new variant", "spelling variant".

Examples

• "Grey" and "gray" are variants of the same word. tree →
• We played a variant of tag where you freeze when caught. tree →
• Scientists are watching a new variant of the flu virus. tree →
• This puzzle is a variant of the one we did yesterday, with bigger numbers. tree →
• Chess has many variants, and some use a round board. tree →
• The shop sells three variants of the toy car in different colours. tree →
• The new variant spread quickly through the town. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a variant, two variants. A variant is not a completely different thing; it is the same thing changed a little. "Variant" and "variety" are related but not the same: a variety is a kind or a mix of many kinds. The verb "vary" means change; "variable" in maths is a letter that stands for a number that can change.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Scholars call a different reading of a text a variant. The text of the Sefer Yetzirah exists in several versions with differing words. In the primary lessons: In spelling lessons a variant is another accepted way to write a word: "color" is the US variant of "colour". In games and puzzles a variant changes one rule. In science and the news, a variant is a changed form of a germ, which might spread faster. In maths, people may speak of a variant of a problem: the same problem with small changes. Phrases: "a variant of", "a new variant", "spelling variant".

Examples

• However, the manuscript variant found in the present edition is certainly old, appearing already in the oldest extant versions of the SY in the commentary of Saadia Gaon. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Countable noun: a variant, two variants. A variant is not a completely different thing; it is the same thing changed a little. "Variant" and "variety" are related but not the same: a variety is a kind or a mix of many kinds. The verb "vary" means change; "variable" in maths is a letter that stands for a number that can change.