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 of various

Adjective

• colored
• colorful
• varied

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

Heti had drawn a series of orbs of various sizes, at odd distances from each other. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Her post included an extended caption along with various photos of Paul with additional messages overlaid onto them. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Conventional tapes usually combine several chemically different materials, including a plastic backing, adhesive, and various additives. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Beyond tea, which provides caffeine, an entirely different nonalcoholic category introduces naturally occurring ingredients that cause various mood-altering effects. — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for various

• carious
• scarious
• aquarius
• cinereous
• gregarious
• hilarious
• malarious
• nefarious
• precarious
• vicarious
• multifarious

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