multifarious

adjective

mul·​ti·​far·​i·​ous ˌməl-tə-ˈfer-ē-əs 

: having or occurring in great variety : diverse

participated in multifarious activities in high school

multifariousness noun

Did you know?

Before the late 16th-century appearance of multifarious, English speakers used another word similar in form and meaning: multifary, meaning "in many ways," appeared—and disappeared—in the 15th century. Before either of the English words existed, there was the Medieval Latin word multifarius, from the Latin adverb multifariam, meaning "in many places." Multi-, as you may know, means "many," and is used to form, well, multifarious English words, from multicultural to multimillion. The word omnifarious ("of all varieties, forms, or kinds"), a relative of multifarious, is created with omni- ("all") rather than multi-.

Synonyms

• various
• myriad
• manifold

Examples of multifarious in a Sentence

the multifarious interests and activities in which Benjamin Franklin immersed himself

Recent Examples on the Web

This focus on showcasing Black identity via the dandies who have influenced culture as far back as the 19th century inspired Met Gala guests in multifarious ways, but sparkle and an accent on custom designs ruled the night. —Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025

The efforts to cut short that shadow have been many and multifarious. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

With his multifarious commitments, Anderson has a schedule that is constantly subject to revision, and meetings with him are liable to be converted from one thing into another with next to no notice. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025

Image Like Menzel’s Jesse, Stella is multifarious. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin multifarius, from Latin multifariam in many places

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for multifarious

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

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Kids Definition

multifarious

adjective

mul·​ti·​far·​i·​ous ˌməl-tə-ˈfar-ē-əs 

-ˈfer-

: of many and various kinds

the multifarious sounds of the city

Legal Definition

multifarious

adjective

mul·​ti·​far·​i·​ous ˌməl-ti-ˈfar-ē-əs 

: having or occurring in great variety : diverse

also : uniting usually in an improper way distinct and independent matters, subjects, or causes

point one is multifarious, and we must break it down for analysis: a) the alleged reformation of the decree; and b) the order that appellant pay

—Spradley v. Hutchison, 787 S.W.2d 214 (1990)

compare misjoinder

multifariousness noun