Meaning & use
various
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Several and of different kinds from one another.
Grammar: Goes before a plural noun: various reasons, various options.
Patterns
- various + plural noun
She tried various methods before finding one that worked.
The shop sells various kinds of tea.
We discussed various ideas at the meeting.
adjectiveafter a verbformal
Different from each other, or showing variety.
Grammar: Used after be in a formal style: the results were various.
Patterns
- be various
Opinions on the plan were various.
The causes of the delay are various.
His interests were various, from chess to pottery.
Common combinations
- various reasons
- For various reasons, the trip was canceled.
- various ways
- There are various ways to solve it.
- in various forms
- The story exists in various forms.
- various kinds
- The market sold various kinds of fruit.
- at various times
- I called him at various times, but he never answered.
Synonyms and how they differ
- several
- Several only means more than two, while various also says they differ.
- assorted
- Assorted is used for mixed collections of items, like assorted chocolates.
- diverse
- Diverse stresses a wide range of difference, more than various does.
- numerous
- Numerous means many, with no idea of difference.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: various or varied?
various vs varied
Varied means having variety in itself, as in a varied diet, while various means several different ones.
Practice
The museum has ___ exhibits, from dinosaur bones to space suits.
Choose one answer.
Various goes directly before a plural noun to mean several different. Variety is a noun and would need of.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “various”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.