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
Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 Aug. 2025
Turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, may offer several skin health benefits.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Here’s how each sector can work together to drive meaningful change and maximize impact:
Industry can take several proactive steps to partner with academia, the military/government and nonprofits.
—Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
That includes several countries the US relies heavily on for a variety of goods, such as Vietnam (20%), India (25%), Taiwan (20%) and Thailand (19%).
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Detectives have reached out to several police agencies across the country to discuss various suspects and cases that have any similarities to the Fleming case, the release states.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 Aug. 2025
Turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, may offer several skin health benefits.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Here’s how each sector can work together to drive meaningful change and maximize impact:
Industry can take several proactive steps to partner with academia, the military/government and nonprofits.
—Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
That includes several countries the US relies heavily on for a variety of goods, such as Vietnam (20%), India (25%), Taiwan (20%) and Thailand (19%).
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for several
Cite this Entry
“Several.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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
Share