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
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Mehta added several countries have already incorporated ecocide into their national laws, including France, Ukraine and Belgium.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
In a year that emphasized bold narratives and artistic risk, several standout films earned praise.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
While several burger chains around the country are offering deals to celebrate the day, Wendy's has brought back a fan-favorite discount for another year.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for several
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
Russia has sharply expanded its own drone and missile production in the past year, allowing for mass attacks using several hundred projectiles at once.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Mehta added several countries have already incorporated ecocide into their national laws, including France, Ukraine and Belgium.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
In a year that emphasized bold narratives and artistic risk, several standout films earned praise.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
While several burger chains around the country are offering deals to celebrate the day, Wendy's has brought back a fan-favorite discount for another year.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 May 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 9 Jun. 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
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