variety

/və'raiəti/

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Word: Variety

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Definition: The word "variety" refers to a difference or a range of different things that are usually pleasant or interesting. It can describe a collection of items that share a common characteristic but are distinct in some way.

Usage Instructions:

• "Variety" is used to talk about differences or diversity in a group. You can use it when discussing different types or kinds of something, such as food, art, or experiences.

Examples:

1. Everyday Use: "I love to try a variety of foods when I travel. It makes the experience more exciting!"
2. Art Context: "In the art gallery, there was a variety of paintings, from classical to modern styles."
3. Biological Context: "In biology, a variety can refer to a specific group within a species that has minor differences."

Advanced Usage:

• "Variety" can also be used in more formal contexts, such as scientific classification in biology, where it refers to a taxonomic category of organisms that differ slightly but are still part of the same species.

Word Variants:

• The adjective form is "varied," which means consisting of different kinds.
• The adverb form is "variously," which means in a variety of ways.

Different Meanings:

1. General Use: A range of different things (e.g., "There is a variety of desserts at the party.")
2. Biological Use: A classification of plants or animals with minor differences (e.g., "This variety of plant thrives in the sun.")
3. Entertainment Use: A show consisting of different performances (e.g., "We watched a variety show with comedy, music, and dance.")

Synonyms:

• Diversity
• Assortment
• Range
• Mixture
• Selection

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "A variety of options": This means there are many choices available.
• "Variety is the spice of life": This idiom suggests that having different experiences and things makes life more interesting.

Conclusion:

Understanding "variety" helps you appreciate the differences in the world around you.

Academic

Noun

1. a difference that is usually pleasant
   • he goes to France for variety
   • it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic
2. a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
   • sculpture is a form of art
   • what kinds of desserts are there?
3. a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances
4. (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
5. noticeable heterogeneity
   • a diversity of possibilities
   • the range and variety of his work is amazing
6. 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

Synonyms

• change
• kind
• sort
• form
• variety show
• diverseness
• diversity
• multifariousness