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

In 2010, researchers at Northumbria University discovered that a particular species of tart cherries, the Montmorency variety, contained anti-oxidative properties because of their high levels of polyphenols — particularly a type named anthocyanins. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Choose from a variety of flavors, including Caramel, French Vanilla, Mocha and more. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Visitors spent the day sampling soul food favorites, including ribs, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, chicken and waffles, cornbread and a variety of sweet desserts. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

While the species can reach large tree height, selecting a smaller bush variety that produces blue-green fruits in fall is a plus for the garden. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 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

• gaiety
• piety
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety
• society
• contrariety
• impropriety

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