adjective
Uncommon
divers
DEYE-vurz
Divers (adjective) means Various; several — an old-fashioned way of saying "a number of different.". Example: “He had divers reasons for leaving early.”
adjective
1
Various; several — an old-fashioned way of saying "a number of different."
"He had divers reasons for leaving early."
"The old chronicle mentions divers travellers who stopped at the inn that winter."
"Divers people from distant towns came to hear the preacher speak."
How to use divers
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn archaic word for "various" or "several," rarely used in modern English outside old texts.
Common mistake
Not the plural of "diver" (someone who dives) — this is a completely different, much older word.
Easily confused with
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Etymology
A doublet of diverse, from the same Old French and Latin root meaning "different."
Related words
Rhymes for divers
See all rhymes for divers →Frequently asked questions
What does “divers” mean?
The word “divers” means various; several — an old-fashioned way of saying "a number of different.". In plain terms, an archaic word for "various" or "several," rarely used in modern English outside old texts.
How do you pronounce “divers”?
“Divers” is pronounced DEYE-vurz (/ˈdaɪvɜː(ɹ)z/ in IPA).
How do you use “divers” in a sentence?
Here is “divers” used in a sentence: “He had divers reasons for leaving early.”
What part of speech is “divers”?
“Divers” is an adjective.
Where does the word “divers” come from?
The word “divers” comes from Latin. A doublet of diverse, from the same Old French and Latin root meaning "different.".
Is “divers” a common word?
“Divers” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is "divers" the same word as "diverse"?
No. "Divers" is an old-fashioned adjective meaning "various" or "several," while "diverse" means varied in kind or showing variety among members of a group. The two words share a Latin root but developed different meanings, and "divers" is now rarely used outside archaic or legal-sounding writing.
Is "divers" still used in modern English?
Rarely. "Divers" survives mainly in older literature, legal or ceremonial phrasing, and deliberately archaic style, having been largely replaced by "various" or "several" in everyday use.
What is an example of "divers" used correctly?
A period-style sentence such as "He owned divers estates across the country" uses "divers" to mean "several different" estates, in the same way a modern writer would say "various" estates.
