sev·er·al
ˈse-və-rəl 
ˈsev-rəl
1
a
: separate or distinct from one another
federal union of the several states
c
: being separate and distinctive : respective
specialists in their several fields
2
a
: more than one
several pleas
b
: more than two but fewer than many
moved several inches
c
chiefly dialectal
: being a great many
plural in construction
: an indefinite number more than two and fewer than many
several of the guests
Examples of several in a Sentence
Adjective
It took several days for the package to arrive.
He arrived several hours ago.
We added several more names to the list.
The meat can be cooked several ways.
There are several similar stores at the mall.
a federal union of the several states
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Ronnie Moyers heard the bird hammering in the woods one morning in late February, several weeks before the species usually shows up in Virginia’s western highlands.
—Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
The pilot and co-pilot were reportedly killed in the collision, and several others were injured.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
After years of prediction that time crystals could exist in the real world too, scientists made the first-ever time crystal nearly a decade ago and have found several types of time crystals each with unique properties that could be used for different applications.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for several
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Current, winners of the NWSL Shield last season, had several more offensive chances than the Stars and put a shot on goal in the first minute of the game.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Ronnie Moyers heard the bird hammering in the woods one morning in late February, several weeks before the species usually shows up in Virginia’s western highlands.
—Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
The pilot and co-pilot were reportedly killed in the collision, and several others were injured.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
After years of prediction that time crystals could exist in the real world too, scientists made the first-ever time crystal nearly a decade ago and have found several types of time crystals each with unique properties that could be used for different applications.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for several
Cite this Entry
“Several.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
several
1 of 2 adjective
sev·er·al
ˈsev-(ə-)rəl
1
: separate or distinct from one another : different
federal union of the several states
2
: being more than two but not very many
several persons
severally
adverb
-ē
several
2 of 2 pronoun
: a small number : more than two but not very many
several of the guests
Legal Definition
several
adjective
sev·er·al
1
a
: of or relating separately to each individual involved
specifically
: enforceable separately against each party
each promisor owed a several duty
see also several liability at liability sense 2b, several obligation at obligation
b
: being separately or individually responsible, liable, or obligated
a several obligor
compare joint
2
: separate or distinct from one another
to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. I
severally
adverb
Etymology
Adjective
Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
