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

• assortment
• diverseness
• diversity
• heterogeneity
• heterogeneousness
• manifoldness
• miscellaneousness
• multifariousness
• multiplicity
• variousness

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

Its adaptable, low-profile design fits into a variety of spaces without the bulk of traditional units. —Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025

The commission currently helps cover rent for around 17,000 households through a variety of programs, all of which are federally funded. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Health inspectors cited the ramen restaurant due to a variety of food safety violations. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025

The product will come in at least five varieties – milk, dark, white, caramel and assorted – and will hit shelves in September. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 May 2025

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