Variate in poetry refers to the intentional introduction of diversity or deviation within a formal structure—such as altering rhyme schemes, shifting meters, or varying line lengths—to prevent monotony and enhance expressive range; unlike irregularity born of negligence, variate is a controlled technique that maintains underlying coherence while allowing for dynamic shifts in tone, pace, or perspective, as practiced by poets like Emily Dickinson (with her hymnal stanzas punctuated by dashes and slant rhymes) or W.B. Yeats, whose later work modulates traditional forms to accommodate evolving philosophical concerns.

Alternative version or variation of text. In poetry: different readings or manuscript versions. Related to textual criticism and variorum editions. Useful for scholarly poetry study.