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

To ensure your smoothies fit your lifestyle and dietary goals, focus on portion sizes and rotate a variety of ingredients to maintain a diverse nutrient profile. —Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Only about 3 percent of FRBs are of the repeating variety. —Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025

So far, the patisserie’s hokkaido milk mille crepe cake is a customer favorite, as are the tiramisu, matcha and chocolate varieties. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

After news of their passing shocked the world, fans across the globe grieved with the Bryant family through a variety of memorials: candlelit vigils, sculptures and public murals, recognizing Kobe and Gianna’s contributions to the world of basketball. —Luke Chinman, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025

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