What does variation mean?
Word: Variation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Variation means a change or difference in amount, form or level, or something that is slightly different from the usual kind.
Synonyms: change, difference, fluctuation
Antonyms: sameness
How do you spell variation?
Syllables: va - ri - a - tion
Tricky part: Students drop the i after r (varation) or start with ve (veriation). The word comes from vary, whose y becomes i.
Watch out for: varation, veriation, variasion
Memory tip: An aria, a song from an opera, hides inside variation. Every singer gives the aria a little variation.
Variation in a sentence
Example 1: There is little variation in temperature in Chennai from month to month.
Example 2: This dosa is a variation of the plain one, with onion and chilli on top.
Example 3: The tailor noticed a slight variation in the colour of the two pieces of cloth.
Fun Fact
Musicians write pieces called theme and variations, where a simple tune is played and then changed in many ways. Mozart wrote twelve variations on the French tune now sung as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word variation as it is used in the sentence:
The farmer noticed a large variation in the size of the mangoes from the two old trees.
a) diversity
b) range
c) uniformity
d) contrast
Show answer
c) uniformity. Contrast, diversity and range all point to differences; uniformity means everything is the same.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
There was no tiavnroai at all in the old watchman's daily routine.
a) variation
b) aviation
c) narration
d) vibration
Show answer
a) variation. Vibration needs a b and narration two n's, and aviation is a letter short, with no r at all.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. temperture 2. averege 3. variation 4. measurment
a) how hot or cold something is
b) the usual or middle amount
c) the size or amount found by measuring
d) the amount by which things differ from one another
Show answer
d) the amount by which things differ from one another. Measurement keeps the e of measure, average has an a after the r, and temperature needs an a before ture.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
variattion
a) i
b) a
c) r
d) t
Show answer
d) t. The ending is ation with a single t, as in nation and station.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these shows variation?
a) coins pressed from one mould
b) leaves of many shapes on one plant
c) ten copies of the same photo
d) a row of exactly matching bricks
Show answer
b) leaves of many shapes on one plant
2. The same kurta comes with stripes, checks, dots or flowers. These are variations in ____.
a) length
b) stitching
c) pattern
d) price
Show answer
c) pattern
