noun
variant
VEH-uh-ree-uhnt
noun
1
A form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version.
"This recipe is a variant on the classic tiramisu."
"The car comes in several trim variants."
2
A version of a gene, or of a virus, that differs from the reference form.
"Health officials tracked the spread of the new variant closely."
adj
1
Differing from a type, norm, or standard; showing variation.
"Several variant spellings of the word exist in old manuscripts."
How to Use Variant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA variant is a slightly different version of something — a word, a gene, a virus, a product — compared to the standard form.
Common pairings
viral variant
genetic variant
variant spelling
Word Forms
more variant comparative, variants plural, most variant superlative
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This recipe is a _____ on the classic tiramisu.
Etymology
From Old French variant, the present participle of Latin variare, "to change." First recorded in English around 1380.