variety

[ vuh-rahy-i-tee ]

noun

, plural va·ri·e·ties.

1. the state of being varied or diversified:

   to give variety to a diet.

   Synonyms: multiplicity, diversity

   Antonyms: sameness

2. a number of different types of things, especially ones in the same general category:

   A variety of tropical plants dominate the hotel porch.

   The variety of baked goods is impressive.

   Synonyms: group, collection, assortment

3. a kind or sort:

   This variety of yogurt is especially dense because it has very little whey.

4. a particular form, condition, or phase of something:

   Artistic pursuits of every variety are represented here.

   Synonyms: species, class, sort, kind

5. a category within a species, based on some hereditary difference.
6. a type of animal or plant produced by artificial selection.
7. Philately. a stamp differing from others of the same issue through an accident other than an error of an artist or printer. Compare error ( def 8 ), freak ¹( def 5 ).
8. Older Use. difference; discrepancy.
9. Also called variety show. entertainment of mixed character, consisting of a number of individual performances or acts, as of singing, dancing, or skits. Compare vaudeville ( def 1 ).

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a variety: variety performers.

   a variety store;

   variety performers.

variety

/ vəˈraɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being diversified or various
2. a collection of unlike things, esp of the same general group; assortment
3. a different form or kind within a general category; sort

   varieties of behaviour

4. 1. taxonomy a race whose distinct characters are insufficient to justify classification as a separate species; a subspecies
   2. horticulture stockbreeding a strain of animal or plant produced by artificial breeding
5. 1. entertainment consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs, dances, sketches, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a variety show

Usage Note

As a collective noun, variety, when preceded by a, is often treated as a plural: A variety of inexpensive goods are sold here. When preceded by the, it is usually treated as a singular: The variety of products is small. collective noun.

Other Words From

• nonva·rie·ty noun plural nonvarieties
• over·va·rie·ty noun
• subva·rie·ty noun plural subvarieties

Word History and Origins

Origin of variety¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin varietās, equivalent to vari(us) various ( def ) + -etās, variant of -itās -ity ( def ) after a vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of variety¹

C16: from Latin varietās, from various

Example Sentences

Instead, they can turn to a variety of websites that let people loan out their cryptocurrency, often for high rates of interest.

From Fortune

The company is also letting consumers apply the 50% bonus they receive when spending rewards points for travel to a variety of other items under a “Pay Yourself Back” program.

From Fortune

This is a system that assigns trustworthiness scores to individuals, companies, organizations, and governments on the basis of a variety of behaviors.

From Fortune

This year’s Digiday Media Awards Europe honor a wide variety of publishers, media brands, advertisers and technology companies.

From Digiday

Canoo says this modular approach will allow the company to serve a variety of market segments at reduced cost.

From Fortune

An escort who goes by the name of “Tommy” has experienced a wide variety of female clients.

From The Daily Beast

A variety of systems were in place across countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

From The Daily Beast

But this approach can be troublesome for a variety of reasons.

From The Daily Beast

Klaus espouses inflammatory views on a variety of subjects, some of which Cato happily embraced.

From The Daily Beast

In this day and age, this “help” comes in a variety of forms, from creative writing courses to ghost writers.

From The Daily Beast

Selections for practice should be chosen which contain much variety of thought and feeling and are smooth in movement.

From Project Gutenberg

Adequate conception of the extent, the variety, the excellence of the works of Art here heaped together is impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

She apparently prefers to paint single figures of women and young girls, but her works include a variety of subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

"Immer eine bunte Reihe machen (Always have a little variety)," said he.

From Project Gutenberg

He distinguished himself in early youth by the variety of studies which he accomplished.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assortment
• brand
• breed
• category
• character
• description
• kind
• nature
• quality
• strain