divers
Divers (adjective) means Various; several — an old-fashioned way of saying "a number of different.". Example: “He had divers reasons for leaving early.”
How to use divers
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn archaic word for "various" or "several," rarely used in modern English outside old texts.
Not the plural of "diver" (someone who dives) — this is a completely different, much older word.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He had _____ reasons for leaving early.
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.