AT
We could discuss all day the meaning of these words, but what is boils down to is:
The electrical function of the device is that of a potentiometer, it divides the voltage.
There are various physical forms of potentiometer.
Some are mounted on the front panel of the equipment and are intended to be adjusted often. EG the volume control on a radio.
Some are mounted on the front panel of the equipment and are intended to be adjusted very rarely. There could be screwdiver slot rather than a knob and ther may be a mechanical locking mechanism.
Some are mounted inside the equipment, probably on the circuit board and are only adjusted when the equipment is calibrated. You probably need a screwdriver to adjust them. There are often referred to a "trimmers", "presets", "trim pots", "preset pots".
But electrically they are still all potentiometers.
EXCEPT... when only one end of the track and the slider are used, then it is a variable resistor.
JimB