variety
gb/vɚˈaɪəti/ us/vɚˈaɪəti/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a range of different things
Many different kinds of things or people in one group.
Usage pattern:
a variety of [things]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'variety' with 'variation'; 'variation' often means a change or difference in condition, not just many kinds.
Synonyms
diversity (Often used for differences within a group, especially in social or biological contexts.)
|
assortment (Implies a collection of different things, often tangible items.)
Antonyms
uniformity (Refers to all things being the same, without differences.)
Collocations
wide variety
|great variety
|variety of products
|variety of reasons
|offer a variety
Themes
general
|daily life
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The store sells a wide variety of fresh fruits.
- She enjoys a variety of music styles, from jazz to rock.
- The festival offers a variety of activities for all ages.
- We need to try a variety of methods to solve the problem.
Learner examples
- The shop has a variety of cakes.
- There is a variety of books in the library.
- He eats a variety of food every day.
- We saw a variety of animals at the zoo.
Noun
B1
entity
2
a specific type or kind
One type of thing in a group of similar things.
Usage pattern:
[a/an] [adjective] variety of [thing]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'variety' meaning 'many kinds' with 'variety' meaning 'one type'; context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
type (Very general term for a category within a group.)
|
kind (Common everyday term for one category or sort.)
Antonyms
whole category (Refers to the entire group rather than one type within it.)
Collocations
new variety
|rare variety
|different varieties
|variety of apple
Themes
description
|classification
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This variety of tomato grows well in colder climates.
- We tried a rare variety of tea from China.
- The garden has several varieties of roses.
- That variety of software is outdated now.
Learner examples
- This is a new variety of rice.
- I like this variety of flower.
- We saw a rare variety of bird.
- They grow many varieties of grapes.
Noun
B2
entity
3
entertainment with different acts
A show with many short acts, like music and jokes.
Synonyms
revue (A theatrical entertainment with songs, dances, and sketches.)
Collocations
variety show
|variety performance
Themes
entertainment
|culture
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The TV network aired a popular Saturday night variety show.
- He performed magic tricks on a live variety stage.
- Variety entertainment was very popular in the early 20th century.
Learner examples
- We watched a variety show on TV.
- The variety show had singers and dancers.
- She was in a school variety show.
Grammar
Dictionary form
variety
IPA
GB/vɚˈaɪəti/
US/vɚˈaɪəti/
Syllables & stress
vari - ety (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vari)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: variety
- Plural: varieties, variety
Word family
Forms
varieties
noun
Negative and opposite forms
invariable
adjective C1
invariably
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
variability
noun B2
variant
noun B2
Expressions
a variety of
1/ə vɚˈaɪəti əv/
fixed phrase
many different types of something
Many different kinds of something in one group.
Examples
- The restaurant offers a variety of vegetarian dishes.
- She has worked in a variety of industries.
variety show
1/vɚˈaɪəti ʃˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
show with different short performances
A TV or stage show with music, comedy, and other short acts.
Examples
- He hosted a famous TV variety show in the 1980s.
- The school is organizing a charity variety show next month.