1
a
: separate or distinct from one another
federal union of the several states
c
: being separate and distinctive : respective
specialists in their several fields
2
a
: more than one
several pleas
b
: more than two but fewer than many
moved several inches
c
chiefly dialectal
: being a great many
plural in construction
: an indefinite number more than two and fewer than many
several of the guests
Examples of several in a Sentence
Adjective
It took several days for the package to arrive.
He arrived several hours ago.
We added several more names to the list.
The meat can be cooked several ways.
There are several similar stores at the mall.
a federal union of the several states
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
Infante spoke in a small encampment on Midway Drive in Point Loma, and several other residents appeared to defer to her as a de-facto leader.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for several 
Adjective
The victims were being treated in several area hospitals, the sheriff's office said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
Infante spoke in a small encampment on Midway Drive in Point Loma, and several other residents appeared to defer to her as a de-facto leader.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for several
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'several.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to several
Dictionary Entries Near several
Cite this Entry
“Several.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
several
1 of 2 adjective
sev·er·al
ˈsev-(ə-)rəl 
1
: separate or distinct from one another : different
federal union of the several states
2
: being more than two but not very many
several persons
severally
adverb
-ē
several
2 of 2 pronoun
: a small number : more than two but not very many
several of the guests
Legal Definition
several
adjective
sev·er·al
1
a
: of or relating separately to each individual involved
specifically
: enforceable separately against each party
each promisor owed a several duty
see also several liability at liability sense 2b, several obligation at obligation
b
: being separately or individually responsible, liable, or obligated
a several obligor
compare joint
2
: separate or distinct from one another
to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. I
severally
adverb
Etymology
Adjective
Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate
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