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
Nick Lentz, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025
After seventeen books were removed, several other residents sued on First Amendment grounds, arguing that these books were being banned for content and thus represented a restriction of the freedom of expression.
—Drew Broussard, Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Early last week, several drones were seen flying off the coast of Dublin, just as a plane carrying Zelensky for a visit with the Irish premiere was about to land.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
According to Lebanon Police Department spokesperson Zachery Patton, the chain is covering the cost of several officers to help manage traffic and security concerns on opening day.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for several
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Adjective
Officers eventually stopped the man after several attempts using two PIT maneuvers, police said.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025
After seventeen books were removed, several other residents sued on First Amendment grounds, arguing that these books were being banned for content and thus represented a restriction of the freedom of expression.
—Drew Broussard, Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Early last week, several drones were seen flying off the coast of Dublin, just as a plane carrying Zelensky for a visit with the Irish premiere was about to land.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
According to Lebanon Police Department spokesperson Zachery Patton, the chain is covering the cost of several officers to help manage traffic and security concerns on opening day.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 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 10 Dec. 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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