variability
UK: ˌveəriəˈbɪləti | US: ˌveriəˈbɪləti
n. the quality or state of being likely to change or vary
n. (statistics) the extent to which data points differ from each other
The word "variability" combines the Latin root "vari-" (from "varius," meaning "changeable" or "diverse") with the suffix "-ability" (from Latin "-abilitas," indicating capacity or tendency). The root "vari-" appears in words like "vary" and "variation," while "-ability" is a common suffix forming nouns from adjectives (e.g., "capability"). The term evolved in scientific and statistical contexts to describe the tendency of systems or data to exhibit change or diversity.
The variability in weather patterns makes long-term forecasts challenging.
Genetic variability is essential for species adaptation.
The experiment measured the variability of test results under different conditions.
High variability in product quality led to customer complaints.
Researchers analyzed the variability of heart rates among participants.