variety

American  

[vuh-rahy-i-tee] / vəˈraɪ ɪ ti /

noun

• varieties
  plural

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.

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adjective

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

   a variety store;

   variety performers.

variety British  

/ 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

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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

Derived Forms

• nonvariety
  noun
• overvariety
  noun
• subvariety
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• varieties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of variety

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

Explanation

Variety is a quality similar to diversity or difference. Some feel having variety in life is much more exciting than doing the same routine day in and day out. You’ve likely heard the expression “variety is the spice of life” to describe how our days are more interesting when different things happen. Variety can also describe different things that are classified under one category or type, like varieties of apple — granny smith, pink lady, or red delicious. A variety show is entertainment that includes a number of different and unrelated acts, like fire eaters, string bands, comedians, lounge singers, and spoon players.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

variety varieties

Harvard spokesman Jonathan Swain referred to a previous statement that said, “Harvard College has long sought applicants from a variety of educational backgrounds, including religiously affiliated high schools.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rogers said there was a "unique variety of habitats" in the area and warned many species "really are on the brink".

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Smaller companies tend to be more reliant on debt to fund operations, particularly of the variable-rate variety, than their larger-cap counterparts.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

As an added treat, the third and topmost floor of shelving contains a variety of art books donated by actor and avid art collector Steve Martin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

He might find a variety of ice perfectly suited for Snow Delights.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

All of the saplings are international varieties like Hass and Pinkerton.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

"I have tried nearly 20 different varieties," Song said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

It then broadened its restrictions on additional fertilizer varieties in March and halted most sulfuric-acid exports beginning in May.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Cowin addresses us directly, sharing her anxieties about aging, particularly the varieties of physical decline.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

After a lengthy preamble, in which Penelope talked about fronds, spores, roots, rhizomes, and the impressive knack ferns have for growing in the shade, she began to catalog the varieties.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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