various
VEH-uh-ree-uhs
Various (det) means More than one; several different (things or people). Example: “Various people have asked about the refund policy this week.”
det
1
More than one; several different (things or people).
"You have broken various of the rules."
"There are various ways to fix the problem."
"Various people have asked about the refund policy this week."
"Various members of the choir offered to bring food to the party."
"I have asked various friends, and none of them have seen it."
"Various books have been taken."
adj
1
Of several different kinds; showing a range of difference.
"The store sells hats in various colors and sizes."
"The menu offers various dishes, from simple soups to rich stews."
"Students came from various backgrounds, so the class was full of different ideas."
How to use various
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVarious means "several different ones," used either as a determiner ("various reasons") or an adjective describing diversity.
Common pairings
for various reasons
various kinds
various sizes
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_____ people have asked about the refund policy this week.
Etymology
From Latin varius, "different, diverse, changeable" — the same root that gives us "vary" and "variety."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for various
See all rhymes for 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.
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