A variable power optical system for an endoscope comprising a first lens group having a negative power, a second lens group having a positive power and a third lens group, and wherein the first lens group includes at least a negative lens having a concave surface pointing to an image side and a positive meniscus lens having a concave surface pointing to an object side, the second lens group includes at least a meniscus lens having a convex surface pointing to the object side and a cemented lens formed by cementing together a negative lens and a positive lens, and the third lens group includes at least a positive lens having a convex surface pointing to the object side, and wherein the variable power optical system for an endoscope is configured to satisfy a predetermined condition.
