In this paper we show how the recently introduced concept of regular variation on time scales (or measure chains) is related to a Karamata type definition. We also present characterization theorems and an embedding theorem for regularly varying functions defined on suitable subsets of reals. We demonstrate that for a reasonable theory of regular variation on time scales, certain additional condition on a graininess is needed, which cannot be omitted. We establish a number of elementary properties of regularly varying functions. As an application, we study the asymptotic properties of solution to second order dynamic equations.