several

[ sev-er-uhl, sev-ruhl ]

adjective

1. being more than two but fewer than many in number or kind:

   several ways of doing it.

2. respective; individual:

   They went their several ways.

3. separate; different:

   several occasions.

4. Archaic. single; particular:

   an examination of each several case.

5. Law. binding two or more persons who may be sued separately on a common obligation.

pronoun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. several persons or things:

   He's written ten novels, and several have sold very well.

   Several of my friends are divorced.

several

/ ˈsɛvrəl /

determiner

1. 1. more than a few; an indefinite small number

      several people objected

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      several of them know

adjective

1. prenominal various; separate

   the members with their several occupations

2. prenominal distinct; different

   three several times

3. law capable of being dealt with separately; not shared Compare joint

Word History and Origins

Origin of several¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sēparālis, equivalent to Latin sēpar “separate” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of several¹

C15: via Anglo-French from Medieval Latin sēparālis, from Latin sēpār, from sēparāre to separate

Example Sentences

It would take several years of quiet, painstaking work, and it would begin with Zuckerman’s ascent.

From Salon

Several years ago, when climate change was beginning to emerge in the vernacular of the extreme right, Taylor’s publications began to reflect his own thoughts on the implications of the warming world.

From Salon

Individually, the UK’s 86 local government pension schemes vary in size, from Greater Manchester’s massive £30bn fund all the way down to several schemes which are “sub-£1bn”, according to Joanne Donnelly, board secretary at the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board.

From BBC

But she struggled with injuries throughout her career which forced her to miss parts of several seasons, including almost all of the 2013 and 2014 Olympic season.

From BBC

There have been several high profile cases this year which convey the problem of prison officer corruption.

From BBC