What does variate mean?
Variate is a formal word with two main modern uses. In mathematics and statistics, it is a noun naming a quantity or value that may take different values, often one of the quantities entering a statistical model: “response variate” and “explanatory variate” are typical phrases. In older or more general writing, it can also be a verb meaning to vary or make variable, though “vary” is now the usual everyday choice. A rare adjective use means variable, varied, or of different forms. The word belongs to the same Latin family as variety, variable, and various, but it is much less frequent than those relatives. Because its statistical sense can sound specialized, “variate” is especially useful when a writer wants precise terminology for a modeled quantity or wishes to distinguish a changing quantity from a fixed parameter. Outside technical writing, however, substituting “vary” or “variable” will usually make prose more direct and accessible.
A quantity or value that can vary, especially one forming part of a statistical model or distribution.
"Income was included as an explanatory variate in the analysis."
Chiefly mathematical and statistical; “variable” is more common in general usage.
To make variable or to vary.
"The model variates the sampling rate according to the size of the population."
Formal and relatively uncommon; the everyday alternative is “vary.”
Variable, varied, or differing in form.
"The catalog records several variate readings of the manuscript."
Rare and formal, with most modern encounters occurring in specialized writing.
The regular plural of the noun, commonly used when discussing multiple quantities or values in a statistical context.
"The model tests whether the two variates are correlated."
In statistics, the name says it all: a variate is a quantity whose value is allowed to change.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of variate
Variate comes from Latin variatus, the past participle of variare, meaning “to vary,” which in turn derives from varius, meaning “different” or “various.” English adopted the word in mathematical and scientific usage, where it became both a noun and a verb. It shares its Latin root with familiar words including varied, variety, variable, and variation.
Related word forms
How variate is actually used
The noun is chiefly used in mathematical and statistical contexts, especially in fixed phrases such as “response variate” and “continuous variate.” The verb and adjective are formal and relatively uncommon; outside technical writing, “vary” or “variable” will usually be clearer.
Easily confused with variate
Variable is the broader and more usual term, while variate often names a specific varying quantity or value within a mathematical or statistical model.
A variant is a different form or version of something, whereas a variate is a quantity or value that can change.