Definitions for variousˈvɛər i əs

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

var•i•ous^*ˈvɛər i əs(adj.)

of different kinds, as two or more things:
various cheeses for sale.
exhibiting diversity:
houses of various designs.
different from each other; dissimilar.
several; many:
stayed at various hotels.
individual; separate:
We spoke to the various officials.
having many different qualities:
a woman of various talent.
having a variety of colors.

^* Syn: various , diverse , different , distinct describe things that are not identical. various stresses the multiplicity and variety of sorts or instances of a thing or class of things: various kinds of seaweed.diverse suggests an even wider variety or disparity: diverse opinions.different points to a separate identity, or a dissimilarity in quality or character: two different versions of the same story.distinct implies a uniqueness and lack of connection between things that may possibly be alike: plans similar in objective but distinct in method.

Origin of various:

1545–55; < L varius variegated, varied; see -ous

var′i•ous•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

assorted, various(adj)
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
"assorted sizes"; "his disguises are many and various"; "various experiments have failed to disprove the theory"; "cited various reasons for his behavior"
respective(a), several(a), various(a)(adj)
considered individually
"the respective club members"; "specialists in their several fields"; "the various reports all agreed"
diverse, various(adj)
distinctly dissimilar or unlike
"celebrities as diverse as Bob Hope and Bob Dylan"; "animals as various as the jaguar and the cavy and the sloth"
versatile, various(adj)
having great diversity or variety
"his various achievements are impressive"; "his vast and versatile erudition"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

various(adjective)ˈvɛər i əs
several different
There are various types of Indian cooking.; various colors of material

Wiktionary

various(Adjective)
having a broad range (of different elements).
The reasons are various.

Origin: From varieux, from varius

Webster Dictionary

Various(adj)
different; diverse; several; manifold; as, men of various names; various occupations; various colors
Various(adj)
changeable; uncertain; inconstant; variable
Various(adj)
variegated; diversified; not monotonous