variety

[vuh-rahy-i-tee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR variety ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural va·ri·e·ties.

the state of being varied or diversified: to give variety to a diet.

difference; discrepancy.

a number of different types of things, especially ones in the same general category: a large variety of fruits.

a kind or sort.

a different form, condition, or phase of something: varieties of pastry; a variety of economic reforms.

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

a type of animal or plant produced by artificial selection.

Philately. a stamp differing from others of the same issue through an accident other than an error of an artist or printer.Compare error(def 8), freak¹(def 5).

Also called variety show. entertainment of mixed character, consisting of a number of individual performances or acts, as of singing, dancing, or skits.Compare vaudeville(def 1).

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a variety: a variety performer.

Origin of variety

1525–35; < Latin varietās, equivalent to vari(us) various + -etās, variant of -itās -ity after a vowel

Related formsnon·va·ri·e·ty, noun, plural non·va·ri·e·ties.o·ver·va·ri·e·ty, nounsub·va·ri·e·ty, noun, plural sub·va·ri·e·ties.

Synonyms for variety

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR variety ON THESAURUS.COM

1. diversity, multiplicity. 3. assortment, collection, group. 5. kind, sort, class, species.

Antonyms for variety

1. sameness.

Usage note

3, 5. 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, number.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for variety

mixture, diversity, variation, range, collection, assortment, array, change, soup, category, kind, description, nature, brand, breed, character, strain, quality, medley, multiplicity

Examples from the Web for variety

Contemporary Examples of variety

A variety of systems were in place across countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea
Rich Goldstein
December 30, 2014
But this approach can be troublesome for a variety of reasons.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for Shots
Emily Shire
December 26, 2014
Klaus espouses inflammatory views on a variety of subjects, some of which Cato happily embraced.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute
James Kirchick
December 22, 2014
In this day and age, this “help” comes in a variety of forms, from creative writing courses to ghost writers.
Meet Zoella—The Newbie Author Whose Book Sales Topped J.K. Rowling
Lucy Scholes
December 11, 2014
Despite their variety, Turkers have something in common—a lack of power.
Amazon’s Turkers Kick Off the First Crowdsourced Labor Guild
Kevin Zawacki
December 3, 2014

Historical Examples of variety

He was seated at a table with a variety of papers spread out before him.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
In the nearer ranks we may discern the variety of ingredients that compose the mass.
Biographical Sketches
Nathaniel Hawthorne
After the onions have been peeled, they may be cooked in a variety of ways.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 2
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
There is also a variety of scientific mysticism, if such an expression may be permitted.
Understanding the Scriptures
Francis McConnell
The village was picturesque, in the variety of its edifices, though all were rude.
The Village Uncle (From "Twice Told Tales")
Nathaniel Hawthorne

British Dictionary definitions for variety

variety

noun plural -ties

the quality or condition of being diversified or various

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

a different form or kind within a general category; sortvarieties of behaviour

taxonomya race whose distinct characters are insufficient to justify classification as a separate species; a subspecies
horticulture stockbreedinga strain of animal or plant produced by artificial breeding

entertainment consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs, dances, sketches, etc
(as modifier)a variety show

Word Origin for variety

C16: from Latin varietās, from various

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for variety

1530s, from Middle French variété, from Latin varietatem (nominative varietas) "difference, diversity," from varius "various" (see vary). In reference to "music hall or theatrical performances of a mixed nature," first recorded 1868, American English.