variety

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noun va·ri·e·ty \ və-ˈrī-ə-tē \

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

Different varieties, green ones, pink ones, red ones, all different colors with lots of fruits and veggies.

— Health.com, "What Venus Williams Eats to Prep for the U.S. Open," 30 Aug. 2017
Potomac Winds Ensemble The program features a variety of music, including classical and show tunes. 8-9:30 p.m. Robert Harper Books, 6216 Rhode Island Ave.

— carrie donovan, Washington Post, "Going Out Guide for Maryland, Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2017," 30 Aug. 2017
Last year alone, more than $2 million of food assistance was provided through a variety of programs — that’s about 935,000 pounds.

— faye reeder, star-telegram, "Open house will show how Arlington Charities fights hunger, poverty," 30 Aug. 2017
Conservatives, as Russell Kirk argued, value genuine variety, the organic differences that arise out of local practice, spontaneous orders, and the fact that different people are — get this — different.

— kevin d. williamson, National Review, "A Little Diversity," 27 Aug. 2017
Finally, integrated schools can help young people develop the comfort and competence to live and work in a wide variety of settings—opening up their worlds in new ways.

— jack schneider, The Atlantic, "The Urban-School Stigma," 25 Aug. 2017
Utility patents are so strict that almost everyone who comes in contact with the plant could be hit with a licensing fee: growers and shops, of course, but also anyone looking to breed new varieties or conduct research.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "Who’s Trying to Monopolize Mary Jane?," 25 Aug. 2017
There is a variety of food, but it is never served in large quantities.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "Salmon dish is a delicious reminder of happy days in Paris," 22 Aug. 2017
Some varieties, like escarole and radicchio, feel familiar; others, like boutiquey speckled Castelfranco and finger-spindly Tardivo, look fantastically exotic.

— amiel stanek, Bon Appetit, "Chicory Is the 2017 Vegetable of the Year," 22 Aug. 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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variety Synonyms

VARIETY Defined for English Language Learners

variety

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noun

Definition of variety for English Language Learners

: a number or collection of different things or people
: the quality or state of having or including many different things
: a particular kind of person or thing

VARIETY Defined for Kids

variety

play

noun va·ri·ety \ və-ˈrī-ə-tē \

Definition of variety for Students

plural varieties

1 :a collection of different things

This store sells a variety of items.

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

My diet lacks variety.

3 :something (as a plant or animal) that differs from others of the same general kind or of the group to which it belongs

a variety of tulip

4 :entertainment made up of performances (as dances and songs) that follow one another and are not related

Medical Dictionary

variety

play

noun va·ri·e·ty \ və-ˈrī-ət-ē \

medical Definition of variety

plural varieties

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

Learn More about variety

See words that rhyme with variety Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for variety Spanish Central: Translation of variety Nglish: Translation of variety for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of variety for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variety

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