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
Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Food and drink Loews features several in-house dining options.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
But several rounds of peace talks hosted by Turkey in November failed to produce a lasting agreement, and the two sides have occasionally traded fire since then.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
Benches stationed near several works, exhibited on temporary walls that break up the otherwise open space, were commissioned as an intimate invitation for visitors to sit with them.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for several
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Adjective
The Middle East is home to several major airlines, including Emirates and Etihad in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways, based in the Qatari capital, Doha.
—Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Food and drink Loews features several in-house dining options.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
But several rounds of peace talks hosted by Turkey in November failed to produce a lasting agreement, and the two sides have occasionally traded fire since then.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
Benches stationed near several works, exhibited on temporary walls that break up the otherwise open space, were commissioned as an intimate invitation for visitors to sit with them.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 1 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 7 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
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