sev·er·al
ˈse-və-rəl 
ˈsev-rəl
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
Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
For one, the boot’s stance angles have been refined over several years to hit that Goldilocks sweet spot: not too flexed, not too upright, and dead-flat edge-to-edge underfoot.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Herbert also rushed for 32 yards on nine carries, weaving his way through traffic on his touchdown run and on several other runs, too.
—Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
The trust would be funded over the course of several years and include the title to a Livermore property the church says could add tens of millions of dollars in value to the victims’ trust.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for several 
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Adjective
The strike killed several other Hezbollah leaders, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general, and at least 33 civilians.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
For one, the boot’s stance angles have been refined over several years to hit that Goldilocks sweet spot: not too flexed, not too upright, and dead-flat edge-to-edge underfoot.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Herbert also rushed for 32 yards on nine carries, weaving his way through traffic on his touchdown run and on several other runs, too.
—Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
The trust would be funded over the course of several years and include the title to a Livermore property the church says could add tens of millions of dollars in value to the victims’ trust.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for several
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 21 Nov. 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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