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alternate vs vary

vary vs alternate

alternate is a noun but vary is not a noun.

alternate is an adjective but vary is not an adjective.

alternate and vary both are verbs.

Word NounAdjectiveVerbAdverb
alternate Yes Yes Yes No
vary No No Yes No
As verbs, vary is a hypernym of alternate; that is, vary is a word with a broader meaning than alternate:
  • alternate: go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
  • vary: become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
Other hypernyms of alternate include alter, change.
alternate (noun) vary (noun)
someone who takes the place of another person
alternate (adjective) vary (adjective)
of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired
serving or used in place of another
occurring by turns; first one and then the other
every second one of a series
alternate (verb) vary (verb)
do something in turns become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions make something more diverse and varied
reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action) be at variance with; be out of line with
be an understudy or alternate for a role be subject to change in accordance with a variable
exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
Difference between alternate and vary

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