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

Daniela DaSuta, founder of SommSpace in Austin, recommends looking for wines labeled Alto Adige, Collio, Collio Goriziano or Friuli Colli Orientali, all benchmark areas for the variety. — Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

In an effort to create at last some variety to their shows, and maybe a surprise, a band or performer is now more apt to tinker with their set list. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

Lettuce from a farmers’ market or seeds from a small seed company tend to be pricier, and so are organic produce and seeds as well as unusual varieties. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 June 2026

Neighborhoods in the South Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Central Brooklyn are the most susceptible due to a variety of factors including socioeconomic status, higher rates of pollution, lack of air conditioning and less trees. — Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 June 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