variety
/vəˈraɪəti/ (bre, ipa) · /vəˈraɪəti/ (ame, ipa) · /və-ˈrī-ə-tē/ (ame, mw)
variety — noun
- varietysingular
- varietiesplural
1. the quality of being changeable and not staying the same over time, which makes
the quality of being changeable and not staying the same over time, which makes life or experience more interesting rather than boring or repetitive
Stefan added variety to his morning run by taking different paths through the park.
collocation: add variety to something
Karim enjoys the variety of working on different projects each month.
Without a little variety, the children quickly grew bored with the same games every afternoon.
The restaurant offers enough variety on its menu to satisfy customers with different tastes.
Saira likes variety in her cooking and rarely repeats a meal in the same week.
- change
more general; 'change' can be any difference, while 'variety' emphasises having several different options
- diversity
slightly more formal; often used for people, cultures, or ecosystems rather than daily activities
- variation
focuses on the differences themselves rather than the quality of having differences
- sameness
direct opposite — the quality of being always the same
- monotony
emphasises the boring, negative side of lacking variety
- uniformity
more formal; lack of variety in form or character
文法句型
variety (in something)
用法筆記
Frequently used in expressions like 'variety is the spice of life' to suggest that change makes life enjoyable. This sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a variety' to mean the quality of being varied.
常見錯誤
2. a specific type or kind of something that is different from other types within t
a specific type or kind of something that is different from other types within the same general group — for example, a particular apple variety or a variety of rice
This apple variety grows best in cooler climates with plenty of winter rain.
adjective + variety describing a specific type
Agricultural scientists developed a new variety of wheat that survives dry conditions well.
pattern: new variety of [crop/plant]
The botanical garden contains over fifty varieties of roses in different colours and scents.
Talia prefers a seedless variety of watermelon for summer picnics with her family.
Bao discovered a rare variety of orchid while hiking through the mountain forest.
- type
more general and common; 'type' can apply to anything, while 'variety' suggests subtypes within a known category
- kind
informal; interchangeable with 'type' in most contexts
- sort
slightly informal; often used in British English with a similar meaning
- species
more technical; used specifically for biological classification
文法句型
variety of something
用法筆記
This sense is countable: you can say 'a variety' (one type), 'two varieties' (two types), or 'several varieties'. Common in biology, agriculture, and commerce to distinguish subtypes within a broader category such as fruit, grain, or manufactured product.
常見錯誤
3. a collection or range of different things or people that together represent many
a collection or range of different things or people that together represent many different types — for example, a variety of opinions, products, or cultural backgrounds
The class includes a wide variety of students from different countries and backgrounds.
pattern: a wide variety of + plural noun
A variety of factors contributed to the company's success over the past five years.
Valentina chose the job because it offers a great variety of challenges every single day.
The museum displays a variety of art from ancient times to the modern era.
Leo interviewed a broad variety of experts before writing his report on climate change.
- range
neutral and common; emphasises the span from one extreme to another
- assortment
suggests a carefully chosen or displayed collection, often of products
- selection
implies that someone chose the items, often for a specific purpose
文法句型
a variety of something
a wide / great / broad variety of something
用法筆記
Always used in the construction 'a variety of + plural noun', followed by a plural verb: 'A variety of options are available.' Despite 'a variety' being singular, the verb agrees with the plural noun that follows 'of'.
常見錯誤
4. a type of stage or television entertainment that brings together several differe
a type of stage or television entertainment that brings together several different acts in one programme — for example, songs, dances, comedy sketches, and magic tricks
A variety show featuring singers, comedians, and magicians will air on Saturday evening.
typical structure: variety show + featuring + performers
The old theatre hosted a variety night where local performers could showcase their talents.
Imani watched a television variety programme that included dance competitions and comedy acts.
Variety entertainment was hugely popular in British music halls during the early twentieth century.
The cruise ship offers a different variety act every evening during the week-long trip.
- cabaret
similar format but usually held in a restaurant or nightclub with a more intimate setting
- revue
a theatrical show with songs and sketches, often with a satirical tone
- vaudeville
the historical US term for variety entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
文法句型
variety show
variety programme
variety theatre
variety act
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears as part of a compound noun: 'variety show', 'variety programme', 'variety theatre', or 'variety act'. It is uncommon to say just 'variety' alone to mean the entertainment type. Distinguish from sense 3 ('a variety of acts' means many different types of act, not necessarily in a variety-show format).