various

1 of 2

adjective

var·​i·​ous ˈver-ē-əs 

1

: of an indefinite number greater than one

stop at various towns

2

: individual, separate

rate increases granted in the various states

3

a

: of differing kinds : multifarious

b

: dissimilar in nature or form : unlike

4

: varicolored

birds of various plumage

5

: having a number of different aspects or characteristics

a various place

6

archaic : variable, inconstant

variousness noun

various

2 of 2

pronoun

plural in construction

: an indefinite number of separate individuals greater than one

have read various of her essays

Synonyms

Adjective

• varied
• colored
• colorful

Choose the Right Synonym for various

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of various in a Sentence

Adjective

He has lived in places as various as New York and Beijing.

for their various and bizarrely shaped plumage, males of the bird of paradise species have few rivals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Their €510million wage bill from 2024-25 only trailed PSG and Manchester City in Europe, based on most recent figures, though that number includes the hefty cost of Barca employing players of various other sports as well as huge off-field staffing levels. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Trotter, who has been with AMC for 15 years, will be responsible for the department’s role in delivering campaigns and brand experiences that bring patrons to the chain’s various locations. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025

Moscow believes that the nuclear submarine, with its underwater weapons and robotic systems, will enable Russia to successfully ensure the security of its maritime borders and protect its national interests in various regions of the world’s oceans. —Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025

Violating the law could result in various penalties depending on the severity of the situation, including fines or jail time. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin varius "having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable" (of uncertain origin) + Middle English -ous, -os -ous

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Pronoun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing various

• many and various
• various and sundry

Rhymes for various

• carious
• scarious
• aquarius
• cinereous
• gregarious
• hilarious
• malarious
• nefarious
• precarious
• vicarious
• multifarious

Kids Definition

various

adjective

var·​i·​ous

ˈver-ē-əs,

ˈvar-

1

: of different kinds

2

: different one from another : unlike

animals as various as cat and mouse

3

: having many different characteristics

spring is a various season

4

: made up of an indefinite number greater than one

stopped at various places along the way

variously adverb

variousness noun