variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ə-tē 

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types : multifariousness

2

: a number or collection of different things especially of a particular class : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the same general kind : sort

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies

4

: variety show

Synonyms of variety

• diversity
• diverseness

Examples of variety in a Sentence

I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available.

My life needs more variety.

Recent Examples on the Web

This neutral gallery set can complement any bathroom color scheme, with six distinctive prints for visual variety. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, a variety of treatments can reduce symptoms, slow disease progression and improve quality of life. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Challengers argued that such a broad law is plainly unconstitutional under a variety of Supreme Court precedents, holding that children do have substantial free speech rights. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 July 2026

So while traditional comedy specials appear on the ballot with much more frequency, there is a good chance the ratio of nominees that are comedy specials versus a different type of variety special could be more equitable. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French or Latin; Middle French varieté, borrowed from Latin varietāt-, varietās, from varius "having contrasting colors, various entry 1" + -etāt- -etās, variant of -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing variety

• garden-variety
• sub-variety
• variety is the spice of life
• variety meat
• variety show
• variety store

Rhymes for variety

• gaiety
• piety
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety
• society
• contrariety
• impropriety

Kids Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​ety

və-ˈrī-ət-ē

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types

2

: a number or collection of different things : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the class to which it belongs

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals within a species that are separated from other groups by characteristics not constant enough or too unimportant to separate species

Medical Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ət-ē 

plural varieties

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies