variant meaning and definition

VARIANT noun

Definition of variant (noun)

1. an event that departs from expectations
   • synonyms: discrepancy, variance
2. (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
   • "a new strain of microorganisms"
   • synonyms: form, strain, var.
3. a variable quantity that is random
   • synonyms: chance variable, random variable, stochastic variable, variate
4. something a little different from others of the same type
   • "an experimental version of the night fighter"; "a variant of the same word"; "an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone"; "the boy is a younger edition of his father"
   • synonyms: edition, variation, version

VARIANT adjective

Definition of variant (adjective)

1. differing from a norm or standard
   • "a variant spelling"
2. exhibiting variation and change
   • "letters variant in size"