variety

noun va·ri·e·ty \ və-ˈrī-ə-tē \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: variety in a Sentence

Definition of variety

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

See variety defined for English-language learners

See variety defined for kids

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 of variety from the Web

Threat to score all over the floor in a variety of situations.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "2018 NBA Draft: Jerome Robinson Scouting Report and Highlights," 18 June 2018
But Hodge has also represented the city in a variety of employment and labor disputes, some predating the Walsh administration.

— meghan e. irons, BostonGlobe.com, "Questions raised about City Hall ties of outside counsel investigating Fire Department," 18 June 2018
Rogue Valley Roses: Phoenix, Ore. Is constantly propagating new stock and if a variety isn’t available, customers can go on a waiting list ($6 fee) to be notified when their rose is available for shipping.

— adrian higgins, sacbee, "As for beauty and fragrance, the rambler comes up roses," 15 June 2018
Now known as glamping — short for glamorous camping — the hybrid of camp and resort has exploded, bringing a wave of new glamping destinations this year in a variety of price ranges.

— elaine glusac, New York Times, "Glamping Slips Into the Mainstream," 15 June 2018
Village Potters also offers a variety of classes, both for adults and children, and is available to rent for pottery parties.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Friends make Village Potters a success after other pottery studio closes," 13 June 2018
The variety of quality trails is the result of a triad of a blank slate, plentiful financial resources and supportive city officials.

— joe jackson, SFChronicle.com, "Redding is California’s secret mountain biking mecca," 8 June 2018
Another variety of bad capitalism is market dominance.

— The Economist, "Good capitalism v bad capitalism," 7 June 2018
As spring blooms into summer, a variety of camps are available at Purdue University Northwest for school-age students during summer break.

— douglas clark, Post-Tribune, "Guest column: Summer camps abound at Purdue University Northwest," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'variety.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of variety

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year