If something has variety, it consists of things which are different from each other.
Susan's idea of freedom was to have variety in her lifestyle. [+ in]
I know no store anywhere in the world that has such variety and display.
The music itself has so much variety.
2. singular noun
A varietyof things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
West Hampstead has a variety of good shops and supermarkets.
The island offers such a wide variety of scenery and wildlife. [+ of]
People change their mind for a variety of reasons. [+ of]
3. countable noun
A varietyof something is a type of it.
I'm always pleased to try out a new variety.
She has 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses. [+ of]
Synonyms: type, sort, kind, make More Synonyms of variety
4. uncountable noun [usually NOUN noun]
Variety is a type of entertainment which includes many different kinds of acts in the sameshow.
...a variety show of music, comedy, and magic.
More Synonyms of variety
variety in British English
(vəˈraɪɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
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.
a. taxonomy
a race whose distinct characters are insufficient to justify classification as a separate species; a subspecies
b. horticulture, stockbreeding
a strain of animal or plant produced by artificial breeding
5.
a.
entertainment consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs, dances, sketches, etc
b.
(as modifier)
a variety show
Word origin
C16: from Latin varietās, from various
variety in American English
(vəˈraɪəti)
nounWord forms: pluralvaˈrieties
1.
the state or quality of being various or varied; absence of monotony or sameness
2.
a different form of some thing, condition, or quality; sort; kind
varieties of cloth
3.
a number of different things thought of together; collection of varied things
a variety of items in the attic
4. British
variety show
5.
a. Biology; Loosely
a group having characteristics of its own within a species or subspecies; subdivision of a species
b. Botany
a variant form of wild plants that has been recognized as a true taxon ranking below subspecies, even though it may have been brought under cultivation: e.g., cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
c. Zoology
any of a group of widely separated variants within a single interbreeding population
adjective
6.
of or in a variety show
Word origin
Fr variété < L varietas
More idioms containing
variety
variety is the spice of life
COBUILD Collocations
variety
choose a variety
grow a variety
huge variety
offer a variety of
potato variety
rich variety
sheer variety
try a variety of
Examples of 'variety' in a sentence
variety
These men brought a wide variety of styles and philosophies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Plant these varieties now or in early spring.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why not bring the outside in with varieties that are good as cut flowers indoors?
The Sun (2016)
This variety is great for compact gardens and will grow in full sun or partial shade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The same variety tastes different grown in different places.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In any case she took on a wider variety of parts than her sitcoms might have suggested.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The controls clearly show which speed is suitable for which task, with a great number and variety of options.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are many varieties of change, and you're about to experience most of them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are recruited to work for British intelligence officers for a variety of reasons, including money and ideology.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The same situation can cause people to experience stress in a wide variety of ways.
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
What matters more is having a variety with good perfume.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet at the same time religions are typically practiced through an enormous variety of social forms.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
The fifth best thing about this show is its variety.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There are many varieties of trees which take quite kindly to training and shaping.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
It is a weakness in terms of entertainment value and variety.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are hundreds of ivy varieties of different heights with varying shapes and sizes of leaves.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is a number of varieties and finding the one that suits you is important.
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
Any that die over winter can be replaced or you can try another variety.
The Sun (2016)
This is for a variety of reasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The family zoo was nearby and housed a great variety of animals in less than secure cages.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
Knowing which varieties are the tastiest is a little bit harder.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Such allegations surface in a variety of ways and for a variety of positions.
Christianity Today (2000)
They also improve air quality and host a variety of wildlife.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The show displays a variety of images from three sources.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It can also help with a wide variety of other conditions.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
Some old-fashioned or historic varieties flower only once.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Quotations
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives all its flavourWilliam CowperThe Task
Different strokes for different folks
Word lists with
variety
Types of entertainment
In other languages
variety
British English: variety /vəˈraɪɪtɪ/ NOUN
variation If something has variety, it consists of things which are different from each other.
Variety is the key to a healthy diet.
American English: variety
Arabic: تَنَوُّع
Brazilian Portuguese: variedade
Chinese: 多样性
Croatian: raznolikost
Czech: rozmanitost
Danish: variation
Dutch: variëteit
European Spanish: variedad
Finnish: vaihtelu
French: variété
German: Vielfalt
Greek: ποικιλία
Italian: varietà
Japanese: 多様性
Korean: 다양성
Norwegian: variasjon
Polish: rozmaitość
European Portuguese: variedade
Romanian: varietate
Russian: разнообразие
Latin American Spanish: variedad
Swedish: ombyte
Thai: ความหลากหลาย
Turkish: çeşit
Ukrainian: різноманітність
Vietnamese: sự đa dạng
British English: variety NOUN
number A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
The town has a variety of good shops and supermarkets.
American English: variety
Brazilian Portuguese: variedade
Chinese: 多样化
European Spanish: variedad
French: variété
German: Vielfalt
Italian: ampia gamma
Japanese: 変化に富んでいること
Korean: 다양성
European Portuguese: variedade
Latin American Spanish: variedad
All related terms of 'variety'
grape variety
a type of grape
huge variety
A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
rich variety
A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
sheer variety
If something has variety , it consists of things which are different from each other.
variety meat
processed meat, such as sausage , or offal
variety meats
processed meat , such as sausage , or offal
variety show
a theatrical show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances or acts, such as comedy turns, songs , dances, sketches , etc
variety store
a small shop selling moderately priced goods
variety turn
an act in a variety show
garden-variety
You can use garden-variety to describe something you think is ordinary and not special in any way.
potato variety
A variety of something is a type of it.
variety theatre
a variety entertainment consisting of songs , comic turns, etc
grow a variety
A variety of something is a type of it.
choose a variety
A variety of something is a type of it.
try a variety of
A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
offer a variety of
A variety of things is a number of different kinds or examples of the same thing.
variety is the spice of life
said to mean that doing and seeing a lot of different things makes life more enjoyable and interesting
Chinese translation of 'variety'
variety
(vəˈraɪətɪ)
n
(u) (= diversity) 多样(樣)性 (duōyàngxìng)
(s) (= range)[of objects]若干 (ruògān)
(c) (= type) 种(種)类(類) (zhǒnglèi)
a wide variety of ... 种(種)类(類)繁多的 ... (zhǒnglèi fánduō de ... )
for a variety of reasons由于(於)种(種)种(種)原因 (yóuyú zhǒngzhǒng yuányīn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the state of being diverse or various
people who like variety in their lives and enjoy trying new things
Synonyms
diversity
the cultural diversity of British society
change
It makes a nice change to see you in a good mood for once.
variation
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.
difference
the vast difference in size
diversification
heterogeneity
many-sidedness
multifariousness
Opposites
similarity
,
uniformity
,
monotony
,
homogeneity
,
similitude
,
invariability
2 (noun)
Definition
different things of the same kind
a store selling a wide variety of goods
Synonyms
range
The two men discussed a range of issues.
selection
It offers the widest selection of antiques.
assortment
an assortment of cheeses
mix
a magical mix of fantasy and reality
collection
line-up
a great line-up of musicians and comedy acts
mixture
a mixture of spiced, grilled vegetables
array
the markets with their wonderful arrays of fruit and vegetables
cross section
medley
a medley of traditional songs
multiplicity
a writer who uses a multiplicity of styles
mixed bag (informal)
miscellany
glass cases filled with a miscellany of objects
motley collection
intermixture
3 (noun)
Definition
a particular type of something in the same general category
She grows 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses.
Synonyms
type
There are various types of the disease.
sort
What sort of person is he?
kind
They developed a new kind of film-making.
make
What make of car did he rent?
order
the order of insects Coleoptera, better known as beetles
class
a new class of personal computer
brand
the British brand of socialism
species
There are several thousand species of trees here.
breed
rare breeds of cattle
strain
a particularly beautiful strain of Swiss pansies
category
The entries were organised into six different categories.
Quotation
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives all its flavour [William Cowper – The Task]
proverb
Different strokes for different folks
Additional synonyms
in the sense of array
Definition
an impressive display or collection
the markets with their wonderful arrays of fruit and vegetables
Synonyms
arrangement,
show,
order,
supply,
display,
collection,
exhibition,
line-up,
mixture,
parade,
formation,
presentation,
spectacle,
marshalling,
muster,
disposition (archaic)
in the sense of assortment
Definition
a collection of various things or sorts
an assortment of cheeses
Synonyms
variety,
choice,
collection,
selection,
mixture,
diversity,
array,
jumble,
medley,
mixed bag (informal),
potpourri,
mélange,
miscellany,
mishmash,
farrago,
hotchpotch,
salmagundi,
pick `n' mix
in the sense of brand
Definition
a particular kind or variety
the British brand of socialism
Synonyms
type,
make,
sort,
kind,
class,
quality,
variety,
species,
strain,
grade,
cast
Synonyms of 'variety'
variety
Explore 'variety' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of breed
Definition
a group of animals, esp. domestic animals, within a species, that have certain clearly defined characteristics
rare breeds of cattle
Synonyms
variety,
family,
line,
sort,
kind,
race,
class,
stock,
type,
species,
strain,
pedigree
in the sense of category
Definition
a class or group of things or people with some quality or qualities in common
The entries were organised into six different categories.
Synonyms
class,
grouping,
heading,
head,
order,
sort,
list,
department,
type,
division,
section,
rank,
grade,
classification,
genre
in the sense of change
Definition
variety or novelty
It makes a nice change to see you in a good mood for once.
Synonyms
variety,
break (informal),
departure,
variation,
novelty,
diversion (British),
whole new ball game (informal)
in the sense of class
Definition
one of the groups into which a phylum is divided, containing one or more orders
a new class of personal computer
Synonyms
type,
set,
sort,
kind,
collection,
species,
grade,
category,
stamp,
genre,
classification,
denomination,
genus
in the sense of difference
Definition
the state or quality of being unlike
the vast difference in size
Synonyms
dissimilarity,
contrast,
variation,
change,
variety,
exception,
distinction,
diversity,
alteration,
discrepancy,
disparity,
deviation,
differentiation,
peculiarity,
divergence,
singularity,
particularity,
distinctness,
unlikeness
in the sense of kind
Definition
a class or group having characteristics in common
They developed a new kind of film-making.
Synonyms
class,
sort,
type,
variety,
brand,
grade,
category,
genre,
classification,
league
in the sense of line-up
Definition
to form or organize a line-up
a great line-up of musicians and comedy acts
Synonyms
arrangement,
team,
row,
selection,
array,
dream team
in the sense of make
Definition
manufacturer
What make of car did he rent?
Synonyms
brand,
sort,
style,
model,
build,
form,
mark,
kind,
type,
variety,
construction,
marque
in the sense of medley
Definition
a mixture of various elements
a medley of traditional songs
Synonyms
mixture,
confusion,
jumble,
assortment,
patchwork,
pastiche,
mixed bag (informal),
potpourri,
mélange,
miscellany,
mishmash,
farrago,
hotchpotch,
hodgepodge,
salmagundi,
olio,
gallimaufry,
omnium-gatherum
in the sense of miscellany
Definition
a mixed assortment of items
glass cases filled with a miscellany of objects
Synonyms
assortment,
collection,
variety,
mixture,
diversity,
anthology,
jumble,
medley,
mixed bag,
potpourri,
mélange,
farrago,
hotchpotch,
salmagundi,
gallimaufry,
omnium-gatherum
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mix
Definition
something produced by mixing
a magical mix of fantasy and reality
Synonyms
mixture,
combination,
blend,
fusion,
compound,
jumble,
assortment,
alloy,
medley,
concoction,
amalgam,
mixed bag (informal),
meld,
mélange,
miscellany
in the sense of mixture
Definition
a combination of different things, such as feelings
a mixture of spiced, grilled vegetables
Synonyms
blend,
mix,
variety,
fusion,
assortment,
combine,
brew,
jumble,
medley,
concoction,
amalgam,
amalgamation,
mixed bag (informal),
meld,
potpourri,
mélange,
miscellany,
conglomeration,
hotchpotch,
admixture,
salmagundi
in the sense of multiplicity
Definition
a large number or great variety
a writer who uses a multiplicity of styles
Synonyms
number,
lot,
host,
mass,
variety,
load (informal),
pile (informal),
ton,
stack,
diversity,
heap (informal),
array,
abundance,
myriad,
profusion
in the sense of order
Definition
one of the groups into which a class is divided, containing one or more families
the order of insects Coleoptera, better known as beetles
Synonyms
kind,
group,
class,
family,
form,
sort,
type,
variety,
cast,
species,
breed,
strain,
category,
tribe,
genre,
classification,
genus,
ilk,
subdivision,
subclass,
taxonomic group
in the sense of selection
Definition
a range from which something may be selected
It offers the widest selection of antiques.
Synonyms
range,
variety,
assortment,
series,
collection,
array,
repertoire,
gamut,
lineup
in the sense of sort
Definition
a class, group, or kind sharing certain characteristics or qualities
What sort of person is he?
Synonyms
kind,
type,
class,
make,
group,
family,
order,
race,
style,
quality,
character,
nature,
variety,
brand,
species,
breed,
category,
stamp,
description,
denomination,
genus,
ilk
in the sense of species
Definition
one of the groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are able to interbreed
There are several thousand species of trees here.
Synonyms
kind,
sort,
type,
group,
class,
variety,
breed,
category,
description,
genus
in the sense of strain
Definition
a group of animals or plants within a species or variety, distinguished by one or more minor characteristics
a particularly beautiful strain of Swiss pansies
Synonyms
breed,
type,
stock,
family,
race,
blood,
descent,
pedigree,
extraction,
ancestry,
lineage
in the sense of variation
Definition
a change in level, amount, or quantity
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.