variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ə-tē 

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types : multifariousness

2

: a number or collection of different things especially of a particular class : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the same general kind : sort

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies

4

: variety show

Synonyms of variety

• diversity
• diverseness

Examples of variety in a Sentence

I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available.

My life needs more variety.

Recent Examples on the Web

The colorful, flavorful wrappers are as fun as the fillings (which range from cilantro or kimchi pork to butternut squash and shrimp to tofu, mushroom and kale), and the variety of dipping sauces (classic, ginger smash, gochujang and old godmother spicy peanut) make every bite an adventure. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026

Around three hours prior to tipoff, Curry was seen participating in a variety of exercises with longtime shooting coach Bruce Fraser, firing jumpers from a standstill as well as taking 3-pointers off movement. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026

Guest rooms will feature interactive elements, games matching the floor theme, and a variety of new tech upgrades, including smart TVs in Hilton Connected Rooms and upgraded Wi-Fi throughout the property. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Some might find the hotel stately-home-stuffy, but others will delight in the incredible variety of aristo-leaning patterned wallpapers, lampshades, and rugs, plus its murals, silverware, and portraits of notable Spaniards. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French or Latin; Middle French varieté, borrowed from Latin varietāt-, varietās, from varius "having contrasting colors, various entry 1" + -etāt- -etās, variant of -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing variety

• garden-variety
• sub-variety
• variety is the spice of life
• variety meat
• variety show
• variety store

Rhymes for variety

• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety
• society
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• contrariety
• impropriety
• inebriety
• notoriety

Kids Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​ety

və-ˈrī-ət-ē

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types

2

: a number or collection of different things : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the class to which it belongs

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals within a species that are separated from other groups by characteristics not constant enough or too unimportant to separate species

Medical Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ət-ē 

plural varieties

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies