variety
variety Lexical Profile
variety Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity or monotony.
"She decided to leave her routine office job because she wanted more variety in her daily work."
A number or range of things of the same general class that are distinct in character or quality.
"The community center offers a wide variety of evening classes for adults."
A thing that differs in some way from others of the same general class or kind; a specific sort or type.
"The local orchard grows several heirloom varieties of apples that are rarely found in supermarkets."
A form of theatrical or television entertainment consisting of a succession of short, unrelated performances such as singing, dancing, comedy sketches, and magic acts.
"Many famous comedians of the twentieth century began their careers performing in traveling variety shows."
A taxonomic rank in botany and biology below that of species and subspecies, consisting of a naturally occurring or selectively bred population with distinct characteristics.
"Botanists classified the purple-leafed specimen as a distinct regional variety of the native shrub."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used in the phrase 'a variety of' followed by a plural noun, it typically takes a plural verb (e.g., 'A variety of options are available'), whereas 'the variety of' focuses on the singular quality of diversity and takes a singular verb (e.g., 'The variety of options is impressive').
• Rhymes for variety
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Middle French variété, from Latin varietas ('difference, diversity'), derived from varius ('changing, diverse, speckled').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.