Definition

1. Adjective:

   • More than two but not many; an indefinite small number: Used with plural count nouns to indicate a quantity that is greater than a couple but not large.
   • Individual; distinct; separate: Referring to things or people considered individually or as distinct from one another.

2. Pronoun (Formal/Legal):

   • An indefinite small number of people or things: Used to refer to a group of individuals or items, often implying they are considered separately.

Usage

• As an adjective, "several" modifies a plural noun (e.g., several books, several reasons).
• As a pronoun, "several" stands alone to represent a plural noun already mentioned or understood (e.g., Many applied, but several were rejected).
• It implies a number that is more than two or three but is still considered a limited, countable group. It is less vague than "some" but does not specify an exact figure.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • She made several attempts to call him.
  • The project was delayed for several reasons.
  • They own several properties in the city.

• Pronoun:

  • I ordered a dozen cookies, and several were missing from the box.
  • Of all his suggestions, several were implemented successfully.

Advanced Usage

• In legal/formal contexts: "Several" can emphasize separate, individual liability or ownership, as opposed to joint.
  • The defendants were held severally liable for the damages. (Each defendant is responsible for their separate share).
• "Several of": A common construction used before a determiner (like 'the', 'my', 'these') and a plural noun.
  • Several of the students volunteered for the trip.
  • Several of my friends are coming over.

Variants and Related Words

• Severally (adverb): Separately or individually.
  • The heirs owned the estate severally, not jointly.
• Severalty (noun - legal): The condition of being separate or individual, especially in property law.
  • The land was held in severalty.

Synonyms

• A few: Similar in meaning, though "a few" might sometimes imply a slightly smaller number.
• A number of: A more formal alternative.
• Various: Emphasizes diversity among the items, not just the quantity.
• Multiple: Stresses the fact of being more than one or two.

Antonyms

• Many: Implies a larger, often less definite number.
• Few: Implies a small number, often with a sense of "not enough."
• One, single: Refers to a singular item.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "several" lies in its indefiniteness. It gives a general sense of quantity without precision.
• It is not used with non-count nouns. You cannot say "several water"; you would say "several bottles of water."
• In everyday modern English, the adjective meaning of "more than a few" is far more common than the formal/legal meaning of "separate."

Adjective

1. distinct and individual
   • three several times
2. considered individually
   • the respective club members
   • specialists in their several fields
   • the various reports all agreed
3. (used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
   • several letters came in the mail
   • several people were injured in the accident