vəˈraɪətɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1
diversity;
absence of
uniformity; many-sidedness;
the condition of
being various (not
enough variety in
our lives). 2 a
quantity or
collection of
different things (for a variety of reasons). 3 a a
class of things different in
some common qualities
from the rest of a larger class to
which they belong. b a
specimen or
member of
such a class. 4 (foll. by of) a different
form of a
thing,
quality, etc. 5 Biol. a a
subspecies. b a
cultivar. c an
individual or
group usually
fertile within the
species to which it belongs but differing from the species
type in some qualities
capable of perpetuation. 6 a
mixed sequence of dances, songs,
comedy acts, etc. (usu. attrib.: a variety show). øvariety
store US a
shop selling
many kinds of
small items. [F vari÷t÷ or L varietas (as VARIOUS)]