multifarious

[ muhl-tuh-fair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. having many different parts, elements, forms, etc.
2. numerous and varied; greatly diverse or manifold:

   multifarious activities.

multifarious

/ ˌmʌltɪˈfɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. having many parts of great variety

Derived Forms

• ˌmultiˈfariousness, noun
• ˌmultiˈfariously, adverb

Other Words From

• multi·fari·ous·ly adverb
• multi·fari·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of multifarious¹

1585–95; < Late Latin multifārius many-sided, manifold, equivalent to Latin multifāri ( am ) on many sides + -us adj. suffix ( -ous ); multi-, bifarious

Word History and Origins

Origin of multifarious¹

C16: from Late Latin multifārius manifold, from Latin multifāriam on many sides

Example Sentences

“Our pizza-dough journey was very stressful in the beginning,” Panyathong says, citing the multifarious factors of ingredients, time, temperature and humidity.

From Seattle Times

Trump’s scandals are so multifarious that each one tends to get short shrift, while his opponents’ weaknesses and missteps can be examined at length precisely because there are fewer of them.

From Seattle Times

Where is that energy when it comes to Clarence Thomas’ multifarious ethical issues?

From Seattle Times

Outside-world triggers for Inger are multifarious — she refuses to bathe and often carps about walking — but none prove as potent as Andreas’s scorn, which sets hurdles throughout the trip.

From New York Times

I think I have a better grip on this tension after creating a book that tries to preserve what readers liked about “Dear L.A.” while also tackling an even richer, more multifarious place.

From Los Angeles Times