variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ə-tē 

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types : multifariousness

2

: a number or collection of different things especially of a particular class : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the same general kind : sort

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies

4

: variety show

Synonyms

• assortment
• diverseness
• diversity
• heterogeneity
• heterogeneousness
• manifoldness
• miscellaneousness
• multifariousness
• multiplicity
• variousness

Examples of variety in a Sentence

I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available.

My life needs more variety.

Recent Examples on the Web

In some cases, that also means finding leaders who can spearhead and drive the company’s overall approach to sustainability – a role that requires being able to collaborate and work across a wide variety of functions. —Mary Foley, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

These are health care decisions that people are making for a variety of complex reasons. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 2024

For an even more durable option from Merrell, Dr. Daughtry recommends the Moab 3, a burly—yet very comfortable—shoe that can tackle all varieties of terrain. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 30 Sep. 2024

The Spring/Summer 2025 collections showed a variety of jean fits as well as denim dresses, tops and outerwear to complete a head-to-toe look. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French or Latin; Middle French varieté, borrowed from Latin varietāt-, varietās, from varius "having contrasting colors, various entry 1" + -etāt- -etās, variant of -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing variety

• garden-variety
• sub-variety
• variety is the spice of life
• variety meat
• variety show
• variety store

Kids Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​ety

və-ˈrī-ət-ē

plural varieties

1

: the quality or state of having different forms or types

2

: a number or collection of different things : assortment

3

a

: something differing from others of the class to which it belongs

b

: any of various groups of plants or animals within a species that are separated from other groups by characteristics not constant enough or too unimportant to separate species

Medical Definition

variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ət-ē 

plural varieties

: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies