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

A variety of tailwinds appear poised to help stocks power ahead, potentially offsetting risks such as a potential Supreme Court ruling that could disrupt expectations regarding tariffs and increasing caution among retail investors.

Read more on Barron's

A variety of factors could power stocks higher, offsetting risks such as a potentially disruptive Supreme Court ruling on tariffs.

Read more on Barron's

Stoppard ranged freely over a variety of dramatic modes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The tracing work showed that ACA and ORB each communicate with a variety of cell types in their target regions rather than a single cell class.

Read more on Science Daily

Early forms likely slipped through the undergrowth beneath the feet of dinosaurs and succeeded by evolving a variety of strategies for capturing prey.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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