various

1 of 2

adjective

var·​i·​ous ˈver-ē-əs 

1

: of an indefinite number greater than one

stop at various towns

2

: individual, separate

rate increases granted in the various states

3

a

: of differing kinds : multifarious

b

: 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

various

2 of 2

pronoun

plural in construction

: an indefinite number of separate individuals greater than one

have read various of her essays

Synonyms

Adjective

• chromatic
• colored
• colorful
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• prismatic
• rainbow
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of various in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web

Adjective

As for Downey, his various guises include everything from a CIA agent to a crazed movie director, a device that proves every bit as gimmicky, and for the most part unnecessary, as that sounds. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024

All of them are played by Robert Downey Jr. in various states of prosthetic makeup: A CIA operative, a college professor, a film director and a congressman. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Lara Jean Choreography and Los Gatos Ballet, both based in Los Gatos, are among more than 60 choreographers and Bay Area dance organizations that will present various styles of dance. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024

Shapiro has performed in red and blue states and in various political climates the world over and gets the same response everywhere. —Anne Kniggendorf, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2024

The domino effect would play out for the next two decades, and not just because Kim Kardashian became the prototype of converting reality TV fame into various businesses — from fashion and beauty to games — and turned Kylie Jenner into a billionaire cosmetic baron. —Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

In general, Trump’s legal strategy in his various cases has been to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. —Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024

Kids of all ages wore the sunglasses on sunny and overcast days to get an idea of protection in various weather conditions. —Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

Among the various allegations put forward are reports of drugging and fascist group chats, slave labour and foot photograph farms, with the brand’s impenitent founder Stephan Marsan at its centre. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Pronoun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing various

• many and various
• various and sundry

Kids Definition

various

adjective

var·​i·​ous

ˈver-ē-əs,

ˈvar-

1

: of different kinds

2

: different one from another : unlike

animals as various as cat and mouse

3

: having many different characteristics

spring is a various season

4

: made up of an indefinite number greater than one

stopped at various places along the way

variously adverb

variousness noun