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definitions

various

[ vair-ee-uhs ]
/ ˈvɛər i əs /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR various ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pronoun

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

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. variolitic,
  2. varioloid,
  3. variolous,
  4. variometer,
  5. variorum,
  6. various and sundry,
  7. variously,
  8. variscite,
  9. varisized,
  10. varistor

Origin of various

1545–55; < Latin varius speckled, variegated, hence manifold, diverse; see -ous
Related forms

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

Examples from the Web for various

British Dictionary definitions for various

various

/ (ˈvɛərɪəs) /

determiner

  1. several differenthe is an authority on various subjects
  2. 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 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

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