What does "variegated" mean when describing colors?

The term "variegated" refers to something that is marked by different colors or patches of colors. When describing colors, it indicates a variety of hues or patterns that are distinct and diverse, rather than uniform or consistent. In this context, "variegated" would describe objects such as leaves, fabrics, or artworks that display a mix of colors that are not simply one solid shade, but rather an array of related or contrasting colors blended together.

The other options describe different characteristics: uniformity suggests a single color without variation, brightness and shine refer more to the quality and intensity of colors rather than their diversity, and consistency implies a steady or fixed appearance. Thus, the focus of "variegated" explicitly lies in the presence of diverse color variations.