various

—variously, adv. —variousness, n.

/vair"ee euhs/, adj.

1. of different kinds, as two or more things; differing one from another: Various experiments have not proved his theory.

2. marked by or exhibiting variety or diversity: houses of various designs.

3. presenting or having many different qualities or aspects: a woman of various talent.

4. having a variety of colors; varicolored.

5. different from each other; dissimilar.

6. variant.

7. numerous; many: living at various hotels.

8. individual (in a group, class, kind, etc.); separate: permission from various officials in Washington.

pron.

9. Informal. several, many, or numerous ones: I spoke with various of them.

[1545-55; < L varius speckled, variegated, hence manifold, diverse; see -OUS]

Syn. 1. VARIOUS, DIFFERENT, DISTINCT, DIVERSE describe things that are not identical or alike. VARIOUS stresses the multiplicity of sorts or instances of a thing or a class of things: various sorts of seaweed; busy with various duties. DIFFERENT emphasizes separateness and dissimilarity: two different (or differing) versions of the same story. DISTINCT implies a uniqueness that is clear and unmistakable: plans similar in objective but distinct in method. DIVERSE usually suggests a disparity capable of leading to conflict or disagreement: diverse views on how the area should be zoned. 2. sundry. 3. diversified, variegated, varied.

Ant. 1. identical, same, uniform, similar.

* * *