variety

[vuh-rahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

varieties 

1. the state of being varied or diversified.

   to give variety to a diet.

   Synonyms: multiplicity, diversity
   Antonyms: sameness

2. a number of different types of things, especially ones in the same general category.

   A variety of tropical plants dominate the hotel porch.

   The variety of baked goods is impressive.

   Synonyms: group, collection, assortment

3. a kind or sort.

   This variety of yogurt is especially dense because it has very little whey.

4. a particular form, condition, or phase of something.

   Artistic pursuits of every variety are represented here.

   Synonyms: species, class, sort, kind

5. a category within a species, based on some hereditary difference.

6. a type of animal or plant produced by artificial selection.

7. Philately.,  a stamp differing from others of the same issue through an accident other than an error of an artist or printer.

8. Older Use.,  difference; discrepancy.

9. Also called variety show. entertainment of mixed character, consisting of a number of individual performances or acts, as of singing, dancing, or skits.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a variety: variety performers.

   a variety store;

   variety performers.

variety

/ vəˈraɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being diversified or various

2. a collection of unlike things, esp of the same general group; assortment

3. a different form or kind within a general category; sort

   varieties of behaviour

4. 1. taxonomy a race whose distinct characters are insufficient to justify classification as a separate species; a subspecies

   2. horticulture stockbreeding a strain of animal or plant produced by artificial breeding

5. 1. entertainment consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs, dances, sketches, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a variety show

Usage

As a collective noun, variety, when preceded by a, is often treated as a plural: A variety of inexpensive goods are sold here. When preceded by the, it is usually treated as a singular: The variety of products is small. See also collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• nonvariety noun
• overvariety noun
• subvariety noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of variety¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin varietās, equivalent to vari(us) various ( def. ) + -etās, variant of -itās -ity ( def. ) after a vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of variety¹

C16: from Latin varietās, from _various

Example Sentences

Over the years, he shared cooking recipes for alligator, iguana, frog legs, smoked duck and a variety of other dishes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Synths aren’t supposed to have a conscience, but they also lack fear as we know it, which is to say the variety that breeds ignorance.

Read more on Salon

Recent research suggests that the gut microbiome may promote CAD through a variety of biological pathways, influencing inflammation and metabolism in ways that impact the arteries.

Read more on Science Daily

It was initially built to house local and national government offices, but is now home to a variety of different firms.

Read more on BBC

Created by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a lobbying group, the guide lists a variety of products made in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• assortment 
• brand 
• breed 
• category 
• character 
• description 
• kind 
• nature 
• quality 
• strain