various

[ vair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. of different kinds, as two or more things; differing one from another:

   Various experiments have not proved his theory.

   Antonyms: similar, uniform, same, identical

2. marked by or exhibiting variety or diversity:

   houses of various designs.

   Synonyms: sundry

3. presenting or having many different qualities or aspects:

   a woman of various talent.

   Synonyms: divers, varied, variegated, diversified

4. having a variety of colors; varicolored.
5. different from each other; dissimilar.
6. variant.
7. numerous; many:

   living at various hotels.

8. individual (in a group, class, kind, etc.); separate:

   permission from various officials in Washington.

pronoun

1. Informal. several, many, or numerous ones:

   I spoke with various of them.

various

/ ˈvɛərɪəs /

determiner

1. 1. several different

      he is an authority on various subjects

   2. ( as pronoun; followed by of )

      various of them came

adjective

1. of different kinds, though often within the same general category; diverse

   various occurrences

   his disguises are many and various

2. prenominal relating to a collection of separate persons or things

   the various members of the club

3. displaying variety; many-sided

   his various achievements are most impressive

4. poetic.
   variegated
5. obsolete.
   inconstant

Usage

The use of different after various should be avoided: the disease exists in various forms (not in various different forms )

Derived Forms

• ˈvariousness, noun
• ˈvariously, adverb

Other Words From

• vari·ous·ly adverb
• vari·ous·ness noun
• non·vari·ous adjective
• non·vari·ous·ly adverb
• non·vari·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of various¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin varius “speckled, variegated,” hence “manifold, diverse”; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of various¹

C16: from Latin varius changing; perhaps related to Latin vārus crooked

Example Sentences

For example, when a team prompted generative AI tools to produce images of people in various occupations, some perpetuated gender and racial stereotypes rather than reproducing the actual demographics of those workers.

From Science Daily

In the following many millions of years, those bacteria evolved into plants, optimizing themselves along the way for various environmental changes.

From Science Daily

Late-stage detection, due in part by anatomical challenges that hinder imaging and sampling of the long and complex gastrointestinal system composed of various organs and tissues, has contributed to the high mortality rate.

From Science Daily

In addition, a press release, various marketing materials and the prologue of Sir Capt Sir Tom’s memoir, all stated that the books would be used to support or raise money for the foundation.

From BBC

Virtually none of the people the president-elect is choosing to lead the various departments have any qualifications for the jobs he's putting them into and little or no management experience of any kind.

From Salon

Related Words

• assorted
• different
• discrete
• disparate
• distinct
• diverse
• diversified
• individual
• numerous
• separate
• sundry
• varied

When To Use

What are other ways to say various?

Various means “of different kinds” or “differing one from another.” How does various compare to different, distinct, and diverse? Find out on Thesaurus.com.