various

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French varieux, from Latin varius (“manifold, diverse, various, party-colored, variegated, also changing, changeable, fickle, etc.”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈvɛəɹi.əs/
• (US, Mary–marry–merry distinction) IPA^(key): /ˈvɛəɹi.əs/ (alternatively, /ˈvæɹiəs/ among some speakers)
• (US, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /ˈvɛɹi.əs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  ,

  Audio (US)

  (file)

  (Mary–marry–merry distinction)

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (Mary–marry–merry merger)
• Rhymes: -ɛəriəs

Determiner

various

1. More than one (of an indeterminate set of things).

   Various books have been taken.

   There are various ways to fix the problem.

   You have broken various of the rules.

Adjective

various (not comparable)

1. Having a broad range (of different elements).

   The reasons are various.

Further reading

• various in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• various in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

• Saviour, saviour