Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

vap|id /væ p I d/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as vapid , you are critical of them because they are dull and uninteresting. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  …the Minister's young and rather vapid daughter. □  She made a vapid comment about the weather.

vap|ing /ve I p I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Vaping is the act or habit of breathing in a flavoured steam containing nicotine from a special device. □  Vaping can be a really effective way to quit smoking.

va|por /ve I pə ^r / → see vapour

va|por|ize /ve I pəra I z/ (vaporizes , vaporizing , vaporized ) in BRIT, also use vaporise VERB If a liquid or solid vaporizes or if you vaporize it, it changes into vapour or gas. □ [V ] The benzene vaporized and formed a huge cloud of gas. □ [V n] The blast may have vaporised the meteorite.

va|pour /ve I pə ^r / (vapours ) in AM, use vapor N‑VAR Vapour consists of tiny drops of water or other liquids in the air, which appear as mist. □  …water vapour.

va |pour trail (vapour trails ) in AM, use vapor trail N‑COUNT A vapour trail is a white line of water vapour left in the sky by an aeroplane, a rocket, or a missile.

vari|able /veə riəb ^ə l/ (variables )

1 ADJ Something that is variable changes quite often, and there usually seems to be no fixed pattern to these changes. □  The potassium content of foodstuffs is very variable. □  …a variable rate of interest. ●  vari|abil|ity /veə riəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ between ] There's a great deal of variability between individuals.

2 N‑COUNT A variable is a factor that can change in quality, quantity, or size, which you have to take into account in a situation. □  Decisions could be made on the basis of price, delivery dates, or any other variable.

3 N‑COUNT A variable is a quantity that can have any one of a set of values. [TECHNICAL ] □  It is conventional to place the independent variable on the right-hand side of an equation.

vari|ance /veə riəns/ (variances )

1 PHRASE If one thing is at variance with another, the two things seem to contradict each other. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] Many of his statements were at variance with the facts.

2 N‑VAR The variance between things is the difference between them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] …the variances in the stock price.

vari|ant /veə riənt/ (variants ) N‑COUNT A variant of a particular thing is something that has a different form to that thing, although it is related to it. □ [+ of ] The quagga was a strikingly beautiful variant of the zebra.

vari|ation /veə rie I ʃ ^ə n/ (variations )

1 N‑COUNT A variation on something is the same thing presented in a slightly different form. □ [+ on ] This delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare.

2 N‑VAR A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity. □ [+ in ] The survey found a wide variation in the prices charged for canteen food. □  Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of cold ham.

vari|cose vein /væ r I koʊs ve I n/ (varicose veins ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Varicose veins are swollen and painful veins in a person's legs, which sometimes require a medical operation.

var|ied /veə rid/

1 ADJ Something that is varied consists of things of different types, sizes, or qualities. □  It is essential that your diet is varied and balanced.

2 → see also vary

varie|gat|ed /veə riəge I t I d/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A variegated leaf or plant has different colours on it. [TECHNICAL ] □  The leaves are a variegated red.

2 ADJ Something that is variegated consists of many different parts or types. [FORMAL ] □  …our variegated dialects.

va|ri|ety ◆◆◇ /vəra I I ti/ (varieties )