various

play

adjective var·i·ous \ˈver-ē-əs\

Definition of various

1 : of an indefinite number greater than one stop at various towns
2 : individual, separate rate increases granted in the various states
3a : of differing kinds : multifariousb : dissimilar in nature or form : unlike
4 : varicolored birds of various plumage
5 : having a number of different aspects or characteristics a various place
6 archaic : variable, inconstant

variousness

noun

See various defined for English-language learners

See various defined for kids

Examples of various in a Sentence

He has lived in places as various as New York and Beijing.
for their various and bizarrely shaped plumage, males of the bird of paradise species have few rivals

Recent Examples of various from the Web

Industry groups representing the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon.com Inc., and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have used various arguments to defeat or weaken proposals.

— kartikay mehrotra, Bloomberg.com, "Tech Companies Are Pushing Back Against Biometric Privacy Laws," 20 July 2017
In the past year, HRDC has sent 158 books to various prisoners held by the correctional department.

— andrew henderson, The Courier-Journal, "Human rights organization sues Dept. of Corrections over book censorship," 20 July 2017
Brandyberry said a long-term goal is to partner with various organizations to provide programming for adults as well.

— forrest sellers, Cincinnati.com, "Preschool classes to be offered in Westwood," 20 July 2017
There is no reason to believe the various GOP senators who are on the record opposing a straight repeal will suddenly change their minds.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Despite Trump’s Demands, No Miraculous Health-Care Breakthrough for GOP Senators," 20 July 2017
DAC is not responsible for final approvals of the project, but the various agencies –

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Wary of low income housing, neighbors express opposition to Rock Spring retail, apartment complex," 20 July 2017
Brooks said plaque donors have chosen various reasons to participate and some turn the unveiling into a reason to gather and celebrate.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Honor someone with a Pathway of Pride plaque," 19 July 2017
Myles said the MCSO typically has around 30,000 various warrants to be served around the county at any given time.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Parents in Mobile County being sought after for truancy violations," 19 July 2017
According to the lawsuit, Missouri Alliance for Freedom asked Galloway’s office to produce various records.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Conservative Missouri group sues state auditor, lawmaker over Sunshine Law," 19 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of various

Middle English, from Latin varius “having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable” (of uncertain origin) + Middle English -ous, -os -ous

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of various

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character. different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness. different foods diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast. such diverse interests as dancing and football divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation. went on to pursue divergent careers disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility. disparate notions of freedom various stresses the number of sorts or kinds. tried various methods

various

pronoun, plural in construction var·i·ous

Definition of various

: an indefinite number of separate individuals greater than one have read various of her essays

First Known Use of various

1877

VARIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

various

play

adjective

Definition of various for English Language Learners

—used to refer to several different or many different things, people, etc.
: different from each other

VARIOUS Defined for Kids

various

play

adjective var·i·ous \ˈver-ē-əs\

Definition of various for Students

1 : of different kinds On the walls, repeated in various colors, hung several portraits of Queen Victoria … — Mary Norton, The Borrowers
2 : different one from another : unlike The projects are in various stages of completion.
3 : made up of an indefinite number greater than one Various church groups called meetings. — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder