variety

/vəˈraɪəti/ (bre, ipa) · /vəˈraɪəti/ (ame, ipa) · /və-ˈrī-ə-tē/ (ame, mw)

variety — 名詞

  • varietysingular
  • varietiesplural

1. the quality of being changeable and not staying the same over time, which makes

1.名詞B1
釋義

變化；多樣化

經常變化的特性，不單調

the quality of being changeable and not staying the same over time, which makes life or experience more interesting rather than boring or repetitive

例句

Stefan added variety to his morning run by taking different paths through the park.

Stefan 改變公園路線晨跑，為運動增添變化。

collocation: add variety to something

Karim enjoys the variety of working on different projects each month.

Karim 喜歡每個月做不同專案的工作變化。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

❌I like a variety in my daily routine.
✅I like variety in my daily routine.
💡When talking about the quality of being varied, no article is used.
❌The job has many varieties.
✅The job has a lot of variety.
💡For this sense (change/uniformity), use the uncountable form 'variety' not the plural 'varieties'.

2. a specific type or kind of something that is different from other types within t

2.名詞B1
釋義

品種；變種

同一類別中的不同種類

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

例句

This apple variety grows best in cooler climates with plenty of winter rain.

這個蘋果品種在冬季雨水充足的涼爽氣候下長得最好。

adjective + variety describing a specific type

Agricultural scientists developed a new variety of wheat that survives dry conditions well.

農業科學家培育出一種耐旱的新品種小麥。

pattern: new variety of [crop/plant]

同義詞
  • 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

❌I tried a new variety of coffee. It was very tasty.' (no problem — correct)
💡just showing correct usage.
❌This store has many variety of shoes.
✅This store has many varieties of shoes.
💡When countable, use the plural 'varieties' after 'many'.

3. a collection or range of different things or people that together represent many

3.名詞B1
釋義

多樣；多元

多種不同的人或事物

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

例句

The class includes a wide variety of students from different countries and backgrounds.

這個班級有來自不同國家和背景的學生，組成十分多元。

pattern: a wide variety of + plural noun

A variety of factors contributed to the company's success over the past five years.

多種因素促成了該公司在過去五年的成功。

同義詞
  • 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

❌A variety of opinion was expressed at the meeting.
✅A variety of opinions were expressed at the meeting.
💡After 'a variety of', use a plural noun and a plural verb.
❌There is a variety of reasons why people move abroad.
✅There are a variety of reasons why people move abroad.
💡The verb agrees with 'reasons', not 'a variety'.

4. a type of stage or television entertainment that brings together several differe

4.名詞B2
釋義

綜藝

包含歌舞喜劇等短節目的表演形式

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

例句

A variety show featuring singers, comedians, and magicians will air on Saturday evening.

一個由歌手、喜劇演員和魔術師組成的綜藝節目將在週六晚間播出。

typical structure: variety show + featuring + performers

The old theatre hosted a variety night where local performers could showcase their talents.

那間老劇院舉辦了一場綜藝之夜，讓當地表演者展現才藝。

同義詞
  • 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).

常見錯誤

❌We went to a variety last night.
✅We went to a variety show last night.
💡On its own, 'a variety' does not mean a show; you need to say 'variety show' or 'variety performance'.
❌There was a variety of acts at the theatre.' (ambiguous — could mean sense 3)
✅There was a variety show at the theatre.
💡To be clear you mean the entertainment format, use the compound noun 'variety show'.