various

[ vair-ee-uhs ]

/ ˈvɛər i əs /

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See synonyms for: various / variously / variousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of different kinds, as two or more things; differing one from another: Various experiments have not proved his theory.

marked by or exhibiting variety or diversity: houses of various designs.

presenting or having many different qualities or aspects: a woman of various talent.

having a variety of colors; varicolored.

different from each other; dissimilar.

variant.

numerous; many: living at various hotels.

individual (in a group, class, kind, etc.); separate: permission from various officials in Washington.

pronoun

Informal. several, many, or numerous ones: I spoke with various of them.

OTHER WORDS FOR various

2 sundry.

3 diversified, variegated, varied, divers.

See synonyms for various on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR various

1 identical, same, uniform, similar.

See antonyms for various on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of various

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin varius “speckled, variegated,” hence “manifold, diverse”; see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM various

var·i·ous·ly, adverbvar·i·ous·ness, nounnon·var·i·ous, adjectivenon·var·i·ous·ly, adverb

non·var·i·ous·ness, noun

Words nearby various

variolitic, varioloid, variolous, variometer, variorum, various, various and sundry, variscite, varisized, varistor, varitype

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say various?

Various means “of different kinds” or “differing one from another.” How does various compare to different, distinct, and diverse? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use various in a sentence

The various members met for the first time when they traveled to Gambia at the beginning of December to carry out their plan.
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Various clerks said that they personally would not issue gay marriage licenses.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A step-by-step plan to break from your various technology addictions.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the years to come, Wha became a legendary starting out spot for various soon-to-be rock stars.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They are made in a social setting, surrounded by lots of other people with various ways to resist bad decisions.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A letter from Fajardo to the king (December 10, 1621) concerns various matters of administration and business.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Various impulses urged him into a pouring flood of words; yet he gave expression to none of them.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
He accuses the latter of various illegal and crafty acts, among them sending contraband gold and jewels to Mexico.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The night passed amid various excursions on the part of Aristide and alarms on the part of Jean.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
No young Cave Swallows were taken and gonads of adults were in various stages of reproductive activity.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula|Erwin E. Klaas

British Dictionary definitions for various

various

/ (ˈvɛərɪəs) /

determiner

several differenthe is an authority on various subjects
not standard (as pronoun; followed by of)various of them came

adjective

of different kinds, though often within the same general category; diversevarious occurrences; his disguises are many and various

(prenominal) relating to a collection of separate persons or thingsthe various members of the club

displaying variety; many-sidedhis various achievements are most impressive

poetic variegated

obsolete inconstant

Derived forms of various

variously, adverbvariousness, noun

Word Origin for various

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

usage for various

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

various

OTHER WORDS FOR various

OPPOSITES FOR various

Origin of various

OTHER WORDS FROM various

Words nearby various

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say various?

Words related to various

How to use various in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for various

Derived forms of various

Word Origin for various

usage for various