variantOf

VariantOf is a relational concept used in knowledge representation and metadata to express that one item is a variant of another item. The subject of the relation is the variant, and the object is the base item. The relationship signals shared identity or lineage with differences in form, version, or properties.

In practical use, variantOf appears across multiple domains. In product catalogs, a base product may have variants such as different colors, sizes, or materials, with the variant linked to the base item to indicate common lineage. In digital media, fonts, software builds, or design assets may have variants that preserve core characteristics while altering style or features. In linguistics or cultural studies, regional or stylistic variants can be linked to a canonical form. In genetics, sequence variants are described relative to a reference sequence, indicating a relationship between the variant and the reference.

Modeling considerations include the directional nature of the relation, where the variant points to its base item. Many data schemas define an inverse property (often labeled isVariantOf or hasVariant) to enable bidirectional queries. It is important to avoid circular references and to document the scope and provenance of a variant (for example, why the variant exists and when it was created). Clear qualifiers, such as variant type and variant reason, help maintain meaningful connections across items.

See also: variant, derivative, isVariantOf, base item.