variety


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va·ri·e·ty

 (və-rī′ĭ-tē)
n. pl. va·ri·e·ties
1. The quality or condition of being various or varied; diversity: We need to add some variety to the program.
2. A number or collection of varied things, especially of a particular group; an assortment: brought home a variety of snacks.
3.
a. Something that is distinguished from others of the same kind by a specific characteristic or set of characteristics: varieties of minerals; varieties of socialism.
b. A form of a language that is used by a specific social group and differs from forms used by other social groups: regional varieties of English.
c. Biology A taxonomic subdivision of a species or subspecies consisting of a group of naturally occurring or selectively bred individuals that differ from other individuals of the species in certain minor characteristics.
4. A variety show.

[French variété, from Old French, from Latin varietās, varietāt-, from varius, various.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

variety

(vəˈraɪɪtɪ)
n, pl -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. (Biology)
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. (Theatre)
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.
[C16: from Latin varietās, from various]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

va•ri•e•ty

(vəˈraɪ ɪ ti)

n., pl. -ties.
1. the state of being diversified: to give variety to one's diet.
2. difference; discrepancy.
3. a number of different types of things, esp. ones in the same general category: a large variety of fruits.
4. a kind or sort.
5. a different form or phase of something: varieties of experience.
6. a category within a species, based on some hereditary difference.
7. a type of animal or plant produced by artificial selection.
8.
a. Also called vari′ety show`. an entertainment consisting of a series of brief performances, as of singing, dancing, and comedy.
c. music hall (def. 3).
[1525–35; < Latin varietās=vari(us) various + -etās, variant of -itās -ity]
usage: As a collective noun, variety, when preceded by a, is often treated as a plural: A variety of inexpensive goods are sold here. When preceded by the, it is usu. treated as a singular: The variety of products is small. See also collective noun, number.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Variety

 a number or collection of different things. See also miscellany.
Examples: variety of discourse, 1757; of goods, 1708; of movements, 1851; of pleasant orchards and gardens, 1680; of pleasures, 1553; of prospects, 1718; of readers, 1623; of simpler scenes, 1798; of temporary blessings, 1623; of vices, 1891.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

variety

1. 'a variety of'

If there are a variety of things or people, there are several different kinds of them.

West Hampstead has a variety of good shops and supermarkets.
These were not easy aims to achieve, for a variety of reasons.

After a variety of you use a plural form of a verb.

A variety of treatment methods exist.

If you want to emphasize how many different kinds of people or things there are, you can use great or wide in front of variety.

A great variety of animals survive there.
The college library had a wide variety of books.
2. used as a count noun

You can refer to a type of plant or animal as a variety of that plant or animal.

The courgettes were from Spain, as was one variety of lettuce.
There are numerous varieties of fish to choose from.

After varieties of you can use either the plural or singular form of a noun. The singular form is more formal.

Dozens of varieties of roses are carefully cultivated.
There are many varieties of water turbine on the market.

After variety of you use a singular form.

Each variety of tree has its own name.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.variety - a collection containing a variety of sorts of thingsvariety - a collection containing a variety of sorts of things; "a great assortment of cars was on display"; "he had a variety of disorders"; "a veritable smorgasbord of religions"
aggregation, collection, accumulation, assemblage - several things grouped together or considered as a whole
grab bag - an assortment of miscellaneous items
witches' brew, witches' broth, witch's brew - a fearsome mixture; "a witches' brew of gangsters and terrorists"; "mixing dope and alcohol creates a witches' brew"
range - a variety of different things or activities; "he answered a range of questions"; "he was impressed by the range and diversity of the collection"
selection - an assortment of things from which a choice can be made; "the store carried a large selection of shoes"
alphabet soup - a confusing assortment; "Roosevelt created an alphabet soup of federal agencies"
sampler - an assortment of various samples; "a candy sampler"; "a sampler of French poets"
2.variety - noticeable heterogeneityvariety - noticeable heterogeneity; "a diversity of possibilities"; "the range and variety of his work is amazing"
heterogeneity, heterogeneousness - the quality of being diverse and not comparable in kind
biodiversity - the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat (or in the world as a whole); "a high level of biodiversity is desirable"
3.variety - (biology) a taxonomic category consisting of members of a species that differ from others of the same species in minor but heritable characteristics; "varieties are frequently recognized in botany"
biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms
taxon, taxonomic category, taxonomic group - animal or plant group having natural relations
breed, strain, stock - a special variety of domesticated animals within a species; "he experimented on a particular breed of white rats"; "he created a new strain of sheep"
species - (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
cultivar - a variety of a plant developed from a natural species and maintained under cultivation
4.variety - a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performancesvariety - a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances
show - a social event involving a public performance or entertainment; "they wanted to see some of the shows on Broadway"
revue, review - a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
vaudeville, music hall - a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
5.variety - a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or qualityvariety - a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?"
category - a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme
description - sort or variety; "every description of book was there"
type - a subdivision of a particular kind of thing; "what type of sculpture do you prefer?"
antitype - an opposite or contrasting type
art form - (architecture) a form of artistic expression (such as writing or painting or architecture)
style - a particular kind (as to appearance); "this style of shoe is in demand"
flavour, flavor - (physics) the six kinds of quarks
colour, color - (physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction; "each flavor of quarks comes in three colors"
species - a specific kind of something; "a species of molecule"; "a species of villainy"
genus - a general kind of something; "ignore the genus communism"
make, brand - a recognizable kind; "there's a new brand of hero in the movies now"; "what make of car is that?"
genre - a kind of literary or artistic work
ilk, like - a kind of person; "We'll not see his like again"; "I can't tolerate people of his ilk"
manner - a kind; "what manner of man are you?"
model - a type of product; "his car was an old model"
stripe - a kind or category; "businessmen of every stripe joined in opposition to the proposal"
like, the like, the likes of - a similar kind; "dogs, foxes, and the like", "we don't want the likes of you around here"
6.variety - a difference that is usually pleasantvariety - a difference that is usually pleasant; "he goes to France for variety"; "it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic"
difference - the quality of being unlike or dissimilar; "there are many differences between jazz and rock"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

variety

noun
1. diversity, change, variation, difference, diversification, heterogeneity, many-sidedness, multifariousness people who like variety in their lives and enjoy trying new things
diversity similarity, uniformity, monotony, homogeneity, similitude, invariability
3. type, sort, kind, make, order, class, brand, species, breed, strain, category She grows 12 varieties of old-fashioned roses.
Quotations
"Variety's the very spice of life,"
"That gives all its flavour" [William Cowper The Task]
Proverbs
"Different strokes for different folks"
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

variety

noun
1. The quality of being made of many different elements, forms, kinds, or individuals:
Biology: polymorphism.
3. A class that is defined by the common attribute or attributes possessed by all its members:
Informal: persuasion.
4. One that is slightly different from others of the same kind or designation:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
تَشْكيلَه، مَجموعَة مُشَكَّلَهتَنَوُّعتَنَوُّع، أشكال متنوِّعَهصِنْفمُنَوَّعات مَسْرَحِيَّه
odrůdapestrý výběrrozmanitostvarietévarietní
afvekslingmange forskelligevariantvariationvarieté
variedadsurtido(espectáculo de) variedades
vaihtelu
raznolikost
változatosságvarieté
blandaîur skemmtiòátturfjölbreytnisamsafntegund
多様性
다양성
atmainadaugybė įvairiausiųvarjetė
daudzumsdaudzveidībadažādībamilzumspasuga
odrodapestrý výbervarietný
izborraznolikostvrsta
ombyte
ความหลากหลาย
çeşitçeşit çeşitçeşitliliktürvaryete
sự đa dạng

variety

[vəˈraɪətɪ]
A. N (gen) → variedad f; (= range, diversity) → diversidad f (Comm) [of stock] → surtido m
he likes a variety of foodle gustan diversas comidas
a variety of opinions was expressedse expresaron diversas opiniones
it comes in a variety of colourslo hay en varios colores or de diversos colores
for a variety of reasonspor varias or diversas razones
in a variety of waysde diversas maneras
for varietypor variar
to lend variety to sthdar variedad a algo
variety is the spice of lifeen la variedad está el gusto
B. CPD variety artist Nartista mf de variedades
variety show Nespectáculo m de variedades
variety store N (US) → bazar m (tienda barata que vende de todo)
variety theatre Nteatro m de variedades
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

variety

[vəˈraɪəti] n
(= diversity) → variété f
Susan liked to have variety in her lifestyle → Susan aimait avoir de la variété dans son style de vie.
(= range) a variety of sth → divers qch
She ordered a variety of books → Elle a commandé divers livres.
a wide variety of sth → une grande variété de qch
There is a wide variety of restaurants → Il y a une grande variété de restaurants.
for a variety of reasons → pour diverses raisons
(= kind) → variété f
They have three varieties of whisky → Ils ont trois variétés de whisky.variety show nspectacle m de variétés
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

variety

n
(= diversity)Abwechslung f; to add variety to somethingAbwechslung in etw (acc)bringen; a job with a lot of varietyeine sehr abwechslungsreiche Arbeit; variety is the spice of life (prov) → öfter mal was Neues (inf)
(= assortment)Vielfalt f; (Comm) → Auswahl f (→ of an +dat); that’s quite a variety for one companydas ist ein ziemlich breites Spektrum für eine (einzige) Firma; I have seen him in a variety of different moodsich habe ihn in einer Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Stimmungen erlebt; in a great variety of waysauf die verschiedensten Arten pl; in a variety of colours (Brit) or colors (US) → in den verschiedensten Farben pl; for a variety of reasonsaus verschiedenen or mehreren Gründen; for a great variety of reasonsaus vielen verschiedenen Gründen; a wide variety of birdseine große Vielfalt an Vogelarten, viele verschiedene Vogelarten; you meet a great variety of people at this hotelin diesem Hotel können Sie die verschiedensten Leute treffen
(Biol, Bot: = species) → Art f, → Varietät f (spec)
(= type)Art f; (of cigarette, potato)Sorte f; (of chair)Modell nt; a new variety of tulip/potatoeine neue Tulpen-/Kartoffelsorte
(esp Brit Theat) → Varieté nt, → Varietee nt

variety

:
variety act
nVarieté- or Varieteenummer f
variety artist
nVarieté- or Varieteekünstler(in) m(f)
variety show
n (Theat) → Varieté- or Varieteevorführung f; (TV) → Fernsehshow f; (Rad, TV) → Unterhaltungssendung f
variety theatre, (US) variety theater
nVarieté- or Varieteetheater nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

variety

[vəˈraɪətɪ] n (type) → varietà f inv, tipo; (range, diversity) → molteplicità, varietà
in a wide or large variety of colours → in una vasta gamma di colori
for a variety of reasons → per una serie di motivi
for variety → per variare
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

variety

(vəˈraiəti) plural vaˈrieties noun
1. the quality of being of many different kinds or of being varied. There's a great deal of variety in this job.
2. a mixed collection or range. The children got a variety of toys on their birthdays.
3. a sort or kind. They grow fourteen different varieties of rose.
4. a type of mixed theatrical entertainment including dances, songs, short sketches etc. I much prefer operas to variety; (also adjective) a variety show.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

variety

تَنَوُّع rozmanitost variation Vielfalt ποικιλία variedad vaihtelu variété raznolikost varietà 多様性 다양성 variëteit variasjon rozmaitość variedade разнообразие ombyte ความหลากหลาย çeşit sự đa dạng 多样性
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

variety

n. variedad.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
References in classic literature ?
From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form.
My design, when I went abroad, was to divert myself by seeing the wondrous variety of prospects, beasts, birds, fishes, insects, and vegetables, with which God has been pleased to enrich the several parts of this globe; a variety which, as it must give great pleasure to a contemplative beholder, so doth it admirably display the power, and wisdom, and goodness of the Creator.
"You will pardon me," cries Jones; "but I have always imagined that there is in this very work you mention as great variety as in all the rest; for, besides the difference of inclination, customs and climates have, I am told, introduced the utmost diversity into human nature."
"Thus, sir, I have ended the history of my life; for as to all that series of years during which I have lived retired here, it affords no variety to entertain you, and may be almost considered as one day.[*] The retirement has been so compleat, that I could hardly have enjoyed a more absolute solitude in the deserts of the Thebais than here in the midst of this populous kingdom.
Jones thanked the stranger for the trouble he had taken in relating his story, and then expressed some wonder how he could possibly endure a life of such solitude; "in which," says he, "you may well complain of the want of variety. Indeed I am astonished how you have filled up, or rather killed, so much of your time."
Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other.
Does it consist in the greater security afforded by a greater variety of parties, against the event of any one party being able to outnumber and oppress the rest?
A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source.
Seeing his own shadow reflected in the water, he greatly admired the size and variety of his horns, but felt angry with himself for having such slender and weak feet.
"Since 1905, Variety has been the world's premier entertainment news source, and is today one of the most recognized global media brands," Penske said.
Other bidders in the Variety auction included Yucaipa Cos., the Los Angeles holding company run by supermarket magnate Ron Burkel; Yucaipa was a bidder for the Philadelphia newspapers in 2006 and the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2008.
In RGS003 variety, the difference of root length in concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 micromole in liter is 7, 17 and 50 in proportion to control.