Various

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈvɛəɹi.əs/

Definitions

1. Diverse elements that display uniqueness or distinction from one another
2. A range of different types or categories that are not uniform and reflect individuality
3. Made up of many different types or kinds within a group ; more than one but without detailing exactly how many

Etymology: "Various" once carried the sense of "changeable" or "fickle" before it settled into its current meaning of "many different kinds." It was borrowed from Middle French "varieux," which came from the Latin "varius," a word that could describe things as manifold, diverse, parti-coloured or variegated, but also as changing or inconstant. The Latin sense of shifting and mixed is still visible in the English word's meaning of a range of differing things. Modern English speakers often assume the word is built from "vary" plus "-ous," and that analysis looks plausible on the surface. The true path runs through Old French and Latin, though, so the resemblance to "vary" is a coincidence of form rather than a direct derivation from it.

Synonyms: diverse, multiple, varied, manifold, assorted

Antonyms: same, identical, uniform, homogeneous, consistent