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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
After posting the fastest sales growth among major automakers in Europe last year, Renault’s performance has fallen off a cliff in 2026, with stark declines in several markets in January and February.
—Albertina Torsoli, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the race for European sovereign space access is intensifying as several startups approach flight milestones, supported by over € 900million in collective funding from the European Launcher Challenge.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Jonathan de Vera told the Los Angeles Times on March 8 that a 30-year-old suspect fired several rounds from her vehicle toward the Beverly Hills home, and no injuries were reported.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for several
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Crude prices spiked above $110 per barrel Monday morning after several Middle East energy producers announced plans to cut output.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
After posting the fastest sales growth among major automakers in Europe last year, Renault’s performance has fallen off a cliff in 2026, with stark declines in several markets in January and February.
—Albertina Torsoli, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the race for European sovereign space access is intensifying as several startups approach flight milestones, supported by over € 900million in collective funding from the European Launcher Challenge.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Jonathan de Vera told the Los Angeles Times on March 8 that a 30-year-old suspect fired several rounds from her vehicle toward the Beverly Hills home, and no injuries were reported.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 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 13 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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