variety

noun

va·ri·e·ty və-ˈrī-ə-tē

plural varieties

Synonyms of variety next

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

: a number or collection of different things especially of a particular class : assortment

: something differing from others of the same general kind : sort

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

: variety show

Example Sentences

I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available. My life needs more variety.

Recent Examples on the Web The company partners with a variety of sustainable, eco-friendly brands and works to match customers with brands whose missions match their values. —

Amanda Prahl, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2023 Stepping Back Lee Equity extended its reach across the US economy with a variety of investments, including stakes in a big wealth advisory firm, a women’s retailer and drug rehabilitation centers. —

Amanda Gordon, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2023 The font is sleeker and the classic shade of blue associated with the brand is replaced with a variety of colors depending on placement. —

Jennifer Korn, CNN, 27 Feb. 2023 Warm up your week and make plans for March with a variety of neat activities that can’t be overshadowed by the wild weather. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023 Throughout his career, Mirisch worked with a variety of top directors, including William Wyler, John Ford, John Sturges, Blake Edwards and Norman Jewison. —

Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2023 The parties present the court with a wide variety of issues ancillary to the core request to make the OAG Report public. —

Lee O. Sanderlin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2023 The Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball program was hit with a variety of Level II sanctions for recruiting violations between coach Katie Meier, two transfer prospects and a booster, the NCAA announced Friday. —

Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023 While ski pants may have more reinforcements around your ankles to protect you and your pants from your ski edges, snow pants will reinforce more areas, including the seat and knees, which may need more support with a wider variety of activities. —

Déjà Leonard, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

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.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of variety was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Variety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variety. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

variety

noun

va·ri·ety

və-ˈrī-ət-ē

plural varieties

: the quality or state of having different forms or types

: a number or collection of different things : assortment

: something differing from others of the class to which it belongs

: 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