What does var mean?
Var is an informal, chiefly British shortening of “variant.” It names a form that differs from a standard: another spelling, pronunciation, wording, or regional version. Dictionaries and editors often prefer the full word “variant” in formal prose, but “var” is quick and familiar in notes, style guides, and discussions of language. The spelling is also encountered in technical settings, where its meaning depends on context. In several programming languages, “var” is a keyword for declaring a variable, and in mathematical or statistical software it often abbreviates variance. The unit of reactive power in electrical engineering is also written “var,” short for volt-ampere reactive. These specialized uses do not make “var” a general synonym for “variety” or “variation”; in ordinary English, its central sense is a recognizably different form of something. Understanding that range helps distinguish the informal general word from a programming keyword, a statistical abbreviation, and a physical unit.
nounAn informal, chiefly British term for a variant, especially a different spelling, pronunciation, wording, or regional form. In technical contexts, var can instead denote a programming keyword, an abbreviation for variance, or the unit of reactive power in electrical engineering.
- An informal term for a different form of a word, spelling, pronunciation, text, or design.
- A programming-language keyword used to declare a variable, especially in JavaScript.
- An abbreviation or identifier for variance in mathematical and statistical software.
- The unit of reactive power in electrical engineering, short for volt-ampere reactive.
"In this edition, the regional spelling is the main entry and the other is listed as a var."
"The style guide identifies the older spelling as a var, although variant is more appropriate in formal prose."
"The script uses var for each name, but the updated style guide now prefers let and const."
The plural is uncommon in ordinary British usage but is used in computing and informal technical discussion.
"The developer changed the two vars in the script."
Var packs the entire word variant into three letters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of var
Var developed as a clipped form of variant in informal usage. Variant came through Old French from Latin variant-, meaning “different,” and was related to Latin variare, “to change.” The latter was derived from varius, “various, different,” which ultimately traces to vagus, “wandering.” The shortened form var preserves the same etymological connection found in variable, variety, and various.
How var is actually used
In general use, var is informal and chiefly British; formal writing usually prefers variant. Its programming, statistical, and electrical meanings are technical and should be interpreted according to their contexts.
Easily confused with var
Var is the clipped, informal form of the standard word variant.
In mathematical and statistical contexts, var usually abbreviates variance, whereas variance is written out.