variety

noun

va·​ri·​e·​ty və-ˈrī-ə-tē How to pronounce variety (audio)
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

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 the last 10 years, Kerr has hired a permanent research team who expanded the studies to include interviews with patients receiving hospice care at home and with their families, deepening the researchers’ understanding of the variety and profundity of these visions. Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 He was nominated for nine Directors Guild of America Awards and more than 20 Emmys — a record for a single person working on a variety series. Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Foley was nominated for 24 Emmy Awards and nine DGA Awards, a record for anyone working on a variety TV series. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Collier said individuals unknowingly deal with untreated past trauma in a variety of ways. Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Like the Ferndale location, Caribou Coffee in Allen Park offers its signature line of a variety of coffee and other beverages, all made with real ingredients, the company said, like real chocolate chips and caramel sauce. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024 But among the things to admire about the FSO is its commitment to variety. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 On social media, a variety of commenters chimed in about the pony's rescue. Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2024 They are sold in a variety 12-packs, with 12 ounces cans, or a 6-pack of the Slightly Sweet Spiked Iced Tea with plans to roll out a 12-pack and 24-ounce single can servings of the Slightly Sweet Spiked Tea and Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher flavors. Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'variety.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of variety was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near variety

Cite this Entry

“Variety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variety. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce variety (audio)
plural varieties
: any of various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species : subspecies

More from Merriam-Webster on variety

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