various
12 synonyms and 1 antonyms for various, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Det — More than one; several different (things or people).
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use various
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin varius, "different, diverse, changeable" — the same root that gives us "vary" and "variety."
Full origin of various →Frequently asked questions
What does “various” mean?
The word “various” means more than one; several different (things or people). In plain terms, various means "several different ones," used either as a determiner ("various reasons") or an adjective describing diversity.
How do you pronounce “various”?
“Various” is pronounced VEH-uh-ree-uhs (/ˈvɛəɹi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “various” in a sentence?
Here is “various” used in a sentence: “Various people have asked about the refund policy this week.”
What is another word for “various”?
Words with a similar meaning to “various” include diverse, manifold, miscellaneous, motley, multifarious and sundry.
What is the opposite of “various”?
The opposite of “various” — its antonyms — is monotonous.
What part of speech is “various”?
Depending on how it is used, “various” can be a det and an adjective.
Where does the word “various” come from?
The word “various” comes from Latin. From Latin varius, "different, diverse, changeable" — the same root that gives us "vary" and "variety.".
Is “various” a common word?
“Various” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between various and several?
Both suggest more than one, but they stress different things. "Several" simply means a fairly small number — more than two but not many. "Various" emphasises variety, meaning the things are not just numerous but also different from one another. "Several books" counts them; "various books" highlights that they differ in kind.
What is the difference between various and different?
"Different" points out that things are not alike, and can describe just two items. "Various" means several things that are different — it always implies more than one and combines number with variety. You can say two colours are "different," but you would describe a whole assortment of colours as "various."
What is an example of various in a sentence?
You might say, "The shop sells various types of cheese," meaning it offers several different kinds. Other examples include "people came from various countries" or "we tried various approaches before one worked." In each case, "various" signals both a number of things and the fact that they differ.