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

Items to be raffled include tickets to the Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Sox Crosstown Classic, lottery tickets, a variety of bar glasses, home decor and sportswear, according to a social media post. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

The showers will be of the hit or miss variety with most neighborhoods remaining dry. —Steven Sosna, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

San Diegans have watched costs rise higher than projections, going to $30–$40 per month, while dealing with confusing decisions on new trash cans, absent customer service and a variety of service providers rolling through neighborhoods multiple times a week. —Venus Molina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Under the terms of the agreement, Ryan will develop and produce series for a variety of platforms and create original IP for USG to adapt for television under her Scribe Chick Media banner. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 Apr. 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