several

[ sev-er-uhl, sev-ruhl ]

adjective

1. being more than two but fewer than many in number or kind:

   several ways of doing it.

2. respective; individual:

   They went their several ways.

3. separate; different:

   several occasions.

4. Archaic. single; particular:

   an examination of each several case.

5. Law. binding two or more persons who may be sued separately on a common obligation.

pronoun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. several persons or things:

   He's written ten novels, and several have sold very well.

   Several of my friends are divorced.

several

/ ˈsɛvrəl /

determiner

1. 1. more than a few; an indefinite small number

      several people objected

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      several of them know

adjective

1. prenominal various; separate

   the members with their several occupations

2. prenominal distinct; different

   three several times

3. See joint
   law capable of being dealt with separately; not shared Compare joint

Word History and Origins

Origin of several¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sēparālis, equivalent to Latin sēpar “separate” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of several¹

C15: via Anglo-French from Medieval Latin sēparālis, from Latin sēpār, from sēparāre to separate

Example Sentences

It is the summit of human happiness: the surrender of man to God, of woman to man, of several women to the same man.

From The Daily Beast

Several times, either because they forgot or they had a technical problem, they connected directly, and we could see them.

From The Daily Beast

Several Muslim sites in France, including mosques have been attacked or vandalized since the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

From The Daily Beast

Julianne Moore, Still Alice Julianne Moore should have several Oscars by now.

From The Daily Beast

Several Republicans won primaries in 2014 by running as ideologically pure conservatives who wanted new leadership in the House.

From The Daily Beast

He distinguished himself in several campaigns, especially in the Peninsular war, and was raised to the rank of field marshal.

From Project Gutenberg

After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.

From Project Gutenberg

I called out several times, as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

For several months he remained under a political cloud, charged with incompetency to quell the Philippine Rebellion.

From Project Gutenberg

Several pioneers familiar with the facts of the tragedy at the time of its occurrence were also present.

From Project Gutenberg