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definitions

various

[vair-ee-uhs]
See more synonyms for various on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of different kinds, as two or more things; differing one from another: Various experiments have not proved his theory.
  2. marked by or exhibiting variety or diversity: houses of various designs.
  3. presenting or having many different qualities or aspects: a woman of various talent.
  4. having a variety of colors; varicolored.
  5. different from each other; dissimilar.
  6. variant.
  7. numerous; many: living at various hotels.
  8. individual (in a group, class, kind, etc.); separate: permission from various officials in Washington.
pronoun
  1. Informal. several, many, or numerous ones: I spoke with various of them.

Origin of various

1545–55; < Latin varius speckled, variegated, hence manifold, diverse; see -ous
Related formsvar·i·ous·ly, adverbvar·i·ous·ness, nounnon·var·i·ous, adjectivenon·var·i·ous·ly, adverbnon·var·i·ous·ness, noun

Synonyms for various

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
2. sundry. 3. diversified, variegated, varied, divers.

Synonym study

1. Various, different, distinct, diverse describe things that are not identical or alike. Various stresses the multiplicity of sorts or instances of a thing or a class of things: various sorts of seaweed; busy with various duties. Different emphasizes separateness and dissimilarity: two different (or differing ) versions of the same story. Distinct implies a uniqueness that is clear and unmistakable: plans similar in objective but distinct in method. Diverse usually suggests a disparity capable of leading to conflict or disagreement: diverse views on how the area should be zoned.

Antonyms for various

1. identical, same, uniform, similar.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for various

different, diversified, varied, disparate, separate, distinct, sundry, assorted, discrete, diverse, individual, numerous, changeable, distinctive, heterogeneous, legion, manifold, many, multifarious, multitudinous

Examples from the Web for various

Contemporary Examples of various

Historical Examples of various

  • What if the latter should light on some of his various hiding places for money?

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • Harriet was known by various names among her Southern friends.

  • But various interests were antagonized, and opposition was aroused.

    The Grand Old Man

    Richard B. Cook

  • A series of concerts followed, at which various oratorios and other works were performed.

    Handel

    Edward J. Dent

  • This had, however, been broken in various places by the enemy.

British Dictionary definitions for various

various

determiner
    1. several differenthe is an authority on various subjects
    2. not standard(as pronoun; followed by of)various of them came
adjective
  1. of different kinds, though often within the same general category; diversevarious occurrences; his disguises are many and various
  2. (prenominal) relating to a collection of separate persons or thingsthe various members of the club
  3. displaying variety; many-sidedhis various achievements are most impressive
  4. poetic variegated
  5. obsolete inconstant
Derived Formsvariously, adverbvariousness, noun

Word Origin for various

C16: from Latin varius changing; perhaps related to Latin vārus crooked

usage

The use of different after various should be avoided: the disease exists in various forms (not in various different forms)
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 various
adj.

early 15c., "characterized by variety," from Middle French varieux, from Latin varius "changing, different, diverse" (see vary). Meaning "different from one another" is recorded from 1630s. Related: Variously.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper