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

Various groups have come out in support or against his study.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Scientist asks Gov. Bevin for help to exhume Confederate soldier in Hopkinsville casket", 6 July 2017
The Broadway revival version is performed at various times at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "South Florida family events: Kids Day at the MLB FanFest, art events, stage shows", 5 July 2017
The children rode their bikes, which were covered with red, white and blue decorations, through various obstacle courses in the elementary school parking lot.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Visitors enjoy family-friendly events at Bel Air Fourth of July", 4 July 2017
The projects will take place on various Saturdays throughout the summer.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar", 30 June 2017
But even without a regular flow, the menstrual gods have cursed me with a battery of unpleasant symptoms: everything from rollercoaster mood swings to random cramps and unpredictable energy-level fluctuations at various times of the month.

— michelle konstantinovsky, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Do Women Still Think PMS is Normal?", 29 June 2017
Garmin and Cerner score high on various surveys as among the best places to work.

— scott canon, kansascity.com, "Digital Life: Tech’s egalitarian bro culture", 26 June 2017
The other 11 employees maintain equipment or retool the plant for various wire gauges.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Highly-Automated Austrian Steel Mill Only Needs 14 People", 22 June 2017
Other elements include passes to various entertainment events in Iceland, some of which will feature actual Icelandair employees who have undergone theatrical training over the last few months.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "For Icelandair, all the world’s a stage (and all the cabin crew are actors)", 21 June 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