variant
Definitions
A form of something that differs slightly from others or from the standard
变体，变种（与其他或标准略有不同的形式）
Differing from a standard or from others; alternative
不同的，有差异的；变异的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom variāre (to vary) + -ant ('a thing that does X'). A variant is literally 'a thing that is varying' — a form that has shifted away from the norm. Hence a spelling variant, a variant of a virus, or, as an adjective, a variant reading of a text.
Root vari still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
- variant of X: a variant of the gene / virus / spelling — the most common pattern.
- As an adjective it is formal and mostly attributive: a variant spelling, a variant form.
- Note pronunciation: VAR-i-ant, stress on the first syllable, like the rest of the family.
Example Sentences
- 1.
"Color" and "colour" are spelling variants of the same word.
- 2.
Scientists are monitoring a new variant of the virus.
- 3.
The factory produces a cheaper variant of the standard model.
Easily Confused
variant vs variation — variant is the concrete thing that differs (a virus variant). variation is the act of differing or the abstract changed version (variation in size). The new strain is a variant; the difference between strains is variation.