varietyva‧ri‧e‧ty /vəˈraɪəti/ ●●● S2 W1 noun (plural varieties) 
The girls come from a variety of different backgrounds.2[uncountable] the differences within a group, set of actions etc that make it interesting: I really like the variety the store has to offer.give/add/bring variety (to something) (=make something more interesting) Occasionally working from home adds variety to a job.3[countable] a type of thing, such as a plant or animal, that is different from others in the same groupvariety of The lake has more than 20 varieties of fish.4[countable usually singular] a particular type of person or thing – often used humorouslyof the ... variety Lon has no patience with anything of the child variety.5variety is the spice of life used to say that doing a lot of different things, meeting different people etc is what makes life interestingCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa wide/great/large variety· They hold debates on a wide variety of topics.a huge/enormous variety· Fruit is eaten by a huge variety of animals and birds.an infinite/endless variety· There is a seemingly infinite variety of beers to choose from.a rich variety· A rich variety of plants grows here.a bewildering variety (=so many that you feel confused)· There is a bewildering variety of roses to choose from.an amazing variety· The market has an amazing variety of fresh fish.
WORD ORIGINvariety
Origin:
1500-1600 French variété, from Latin varietas, from varius; ➔ VARIOUSEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- At that time, all newsreaders spoke a variety of English spoken in southern England, known as Received Pronunciation.
- It may be possible to create varieties of fish that have resistance to common diseases.
- She's always complaining that her job doesn't have enough variety.
- South American growers use the best US seed varieties.
- The doctor encouraged him to increase the variety of food that he eats.
- The French make many varieties of cheese, from both cows' and goats' milk.
- The music on her latest CD shows a great deal of variety.
- This is a new variety of apple; we're selling it for the first time.
- Bert started to move a huge pile of cardboard boxes which had once housed a variety of motor spares.
- During treatment for his injuries and a variety of complications, Dole said his weight plummeted from 194 pounds to 122 pounds.
- For all that I have learned a greater variety of games, there are fewer I can tolerate.
- Like most bad situations, this one had evolved in a variety of ways.
- My own preference has always been for the rough-coated variety since these can withstand weather and rough going very much better.
- There is enormous variety to this public-interest assignment.
THESAURUS
one member of a group of people or things that have similar features or qualities. Type is the usual word to use in scientific or technical contexts. In everyday English, people usually use kind or sort: · What type of fish is this?· There are two main personality types.
a type of person or thing. Kind is less formal than type, and is used especially in everyday English: · What kind of food do you like?· There were all kinds of people there.· The study is the first of its kind in Ireland.
especially British English a type of person or thing. Sort is less formal than type, and is used especially in everyday British English: · What sort of person is she?· I like all sorts of music.
one type of something from all the ones that are possible – used especially when things have different physical characteristics, or in certain fixed phrases: · There are many forms of heart disease.· Melanoma is a form of skin cancer.· The first primitive life forms consumed various materials, including hydrogen sulfide, and released oxygen.· In those days, horses were the commonest form of transport.· We need to use alternative forms of energy.· a popular form of entertainment
a type that is slightly different from others in the same group: · The French make many varieties of cheese.· This is a new variety of apple.
a type of plant or animal, which can breed together to produce plants or animals of the same type: · These forests contain many species of trees.· The giant panda is an endangered species.
formal used when talking about a particular type of thing: · Many people find it embarrassing to discuss problems of a sexual nature.· Minor incidents of this nature normally occur about once a month.
a group of people or things that are all of the same type – used when there is a clear system for deciding which group something belongs to: · The three major categories of rock are: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.· She won the best actress category at the Oscars.
used when talking about the particular way that someone does something or thinks about something, when this is very different from that of other people: · She has her own special brand of humour.· He has called for a more positive brand of politics.
formal a type of art, music, literature etc. that has a particular style or feature: · He has written novels in several genres, most notably science fiction.
Longman Language Activatorto make something more interesting · Teachers are always trying to find new ways of making their lessons more interesting.· Sharing a house makes life much more interesting.
also make something come alive to make something much more interesting, especially by making it seem more lively or real: · Campbell made the match come to life when he scored with a header in the 67th minute.· Cagney makes the character come alive through a combination of his looks and his skills as an actor.
also enliven formal to make something that is a little boring or ordinary become more interesting or exciting: liven something up: · I wish Leo would come - he would liven the party up.· Bob tried to liven things up by telling some of his jokes.liven up something: · Tropical fruit such as mangoes and kiwis can help to liven up salad.
to make something seem more interesting and exciting by adding things to it that are colourful, modern etc: jazz up something: · You can easily jazz up a plain outfit with some bright, colourful accessories.· The company's first product, WebSuite, allowed anyone with basic computer skills to jazz up a Web site.jazz something up: · They've really jazzed it up in here but I bet the food's still the same.
to make something more interesting by adding something different or unusual: · Evergreen plants with interesting leaves, berries or flowers add variety to a window box throughout the year.add variety to: · Make sure you add variety to your child's diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
a type of plant or animal a group of animals or plants that are all similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants of the same type: species of: · There are over forty species of bird living on the island.· Scientists have discovered a new species of Eucalyptus tree.endangered species (=one that might not exist for much longer): · The giant panda is an endangered species. There are fewer than a thousand living in the wild.
a type of animal, especially one that has been developed by man, such as a dog, cat, or a farm animal: · Most dairy herds today are of Friesian or Holstein breeds.breed of: · What breed of dog is that? I've never seen one like it before.· It's a very unusual breed of goat, dating back to the time of Cleopatra.
a type of plant or animal that is different from another similar type: · South American growers use the best US seed varieties.variety of: · This is a new variety of apple; we're selling it for the first time.· It may be possible to create varieties of fish that have resistance to common diseases.
a type of plant, animal, bacteria etc that has one particular feature that makes it different from others of the same type - use this in scientific or technical contexts: strain of: · A pure-bred strain of barley is required in the production of this whisky.· A particularly hardy strain of the virus can make you ill for over a week.
a type of person or thing a group of things or people that are similar to each other in some way, or a thing or person that belongs to such a group. Kind and sort are more common than type in spoken English. Use type when you are talking about technical subjects or when you are describing something in an exact way: · I'll get you some ice-cream. What kind would you like?type/kind/sort of: · The floor was made of three different types of wood.· What sort of fish is this?· "What type of music do you like?" "Mainly dance music and some indie."· She's the kind of person you can always rely on.· There are two sorts of politician - the ones who really want to help people, and the ones who just want power.of this/that type etc: · Accidents of this type are extremely common.· It's a club for writers and actors and people of that sort.of various/many/different types etc: · They export farming machinery and tools of various kinds.
a particular type of building, art, literature, music etc: · The new library is a blend of various architectural styles.style of: · a completely new style of painting
a group that people or things of the same type are divided into for a particular purpose - use this when there are several groups and there is a clear system for deciding which group something belongs to: · Emma Thompson won an Oscar in the Best Actress category.· The novels are divided up into three categories: historical, romantic, and crime.category of: · Insurance companies identify six main categories of driver.
a number of people or things that are considered as being of the same group because they have the same physical features, qualities etc: class of: · French is one of a class of languages known as the Romance languages.· Doctors are reluctant to prescribe a new class of drugs, especially ones which need to be taken for long periods of time.
a type of thing that is different from another similar type: variety of: · The French make many varieties of cheese, from both cows' and goats' milk.· At that time, all newsreaders spoke a variety of English spoken in southern England, known as Received Pronunciation.
formal a type of literature, film, or work of art: · Science fiction as a genre is relatively new.· Italian filmmakers made their own versions of the classic Hollywood genres - the western, the gangster film, the musical.
a form of something is one type of it of all the ones that are possible: form of: · Melanoma is a form of skin cancer.· Britain has a constitutional form of government.· Sugar in chocolate and other forms of confectionery is one of the major causes of tooth decay.
a particular type of thing: of a political/historical/technical/scientific/sexual nature : · The support being given is primarily of a practical nature.· books of an erotic natureof a different/similar nature: · On the plains the farmers have to deal with frequent floods, but up in the hills their problems are of a different nature. of that nature: · Children at this age commonly refer to being eaten up by tigers and lions and things of that nature.be in the nature of something (=to be like something): · The cruise was to be in the nature of a "rest cure".
of that type, his type etc - use this especially about types that you do not like or respect: · Environmentalists, feminists, and others of that ilk regularly try to drive shows like this off the air.· Desserts ($5) were of the tiramisu, crème brûlée, chocolate torte ilk.
especially spoken of the type that you have just been talking about: · The children need new pens and pencils and things like that.· People like that really annoy me.· I'm not sure what to do. I've never been in a situation like this before.
including many different people, things, activities etc consisting of or including many different people, things, activities etc: · He had a varied and outstanding career.· Grain products, vegetables, and fruit are important parts of a varied diet.· Sandra's circle of friends was varied, and often a little strange.
the differences within a group, set of actions etc that make it interesting: · She's always complaining that her job doesn't have enough variety.· The music on her latest CD shows a great deal of variety.variety of: · The doctor encouraged him to increase the variety of food that he eats.
a diverse group of people or things contains a lot of very different types of people or things: · The project studied a diverse group of 20,000 teenagers from nine high schools.· We believe the committee should reflect the diverse make-up of our community.· The region's economy is more diverse now than it was 10 years ago.
including many different subjects, ideas, or things: · Climate change is likely to have a wide-ranging impact on human health.· Our discussions were wide-ranging and substantive.· A wide-ranging survey found growing dissatisfaction among workers.
including two or more different things of the same type, or people of different types, mixed together: · The show draws a mixed audience of children and adults.· After beating the cake mixture, add a handful of mixed nuts.· This is a very mixed neighborhood, both racially and socially.
including or concerning people of different races or religions, especially those who live together in the same society, go to the same schools etc: · Most of today's teachers are committed to multicultural education.· He grew up in a multiracial area in London's East End.· Government policies should reflect the multiracial nature of our society.
words for describing things or people that are of different kinds use this about several people or things of the same general type, when you are comparing them with each other and noticing the differences between them: · His hair was dyed in at least three different colors.· I always check the prices of different brands before I make a major purchase.· The drug affects different people in different ways.· The word can have completely different meanings depending on the context.
use this when you want to emphasize that there are several different people or things: · The study evaluates various methods of weight loss.· The committee has asked various people for their opinions.· I had to sign various documents before they would let me into the country.
especially written a lot of things that are different from each other, but of the same general type: · Children do badly at school for a variety of reasons.· The reef fishes display an almost endless variety of colors and patterns.a wide variety of something (=a large variety): · The college offers a wide variety of language courses.
different from each other, especially very different in degree, amount, character etc: · We aim to satisfy the differing needs of our customers.· Survivors sustained injuries with differing degrees of severity.widely differing: · There are widely differing views among community leaders on how best to deal with the homeless issue.
different from each other in degree, amount, condition etc: · The program teaches children of varying ages.· It is now possible to grow satisfactory crops under varying climatic conditions.varying degrees/levels/amounts etc of something: · She has tried numerous diets with varying degrees of success.· Test-takers must complete ten tasks with varying levels of complexity.
several things that are of the same general kind but are not all exactly alike: · Police confiscated an assortment of weapons from the gang.· Every good cook needs an assortment of knives for different jobs in the kitchen.· The basket contained an assortment of sandwiches, cheese, and fruit.
various things of the same general kind, all together in the same place - often used about products: · In the centre of the table was a plate of assorted biscuits.· a box of assorted bandages· The website contains links to assorted investment sites.
an interesting or useful variety of different people or things: · The ideal lesson contains a good mix of activities and subjects.· A mix of young people and old people attended the meeting.· The band's music is an exciting mix of jazz, swing, and rock 'n' roll.
a variety of people or things, especially when they have been deliberately chosen to be together: · The film is largely a mixture of music, dance, and comedy.· Indonesian civilization is an extreme mixture of races, religions, and cultures.· Yiddish is a dialect of German with a mixture of Polish and Hebrew added.
to make something different and more varied · To obtain the nutrients you need, vary the foods you eat.· Good writers vary the length and structure of their sentences.
to make something more varied, especially in order to make it more interesting: · Tutoring younger students can add variety to older students' days, and make them feel important.· Bartlett argued that billboards add color and variety to our city streets.
WORD SETSaerobic, adjectiveafterbirth, nounalgae, nounalimentary canal, nounamber, nounameba, nounamino acid, nounamoeba, nounanaconda, nounanaerobic, adjectiveandrogynous, adjectiveantibody, nounantigen, nounantitoxin, nounappendage, nounarm, nounarmour, nounasexual, adjectiveassimilation, nounatrophy, verbaviary, nounbacteria, nounbacteriology, nounbarnacle, nounbile, nounbinocular vision, nounbio-, prefixbiochemistry, nounbiodegradable, adjectivebiodiversity, nounbiohazard, nounbiological, adjectivebiological clock, nounbiology, nounbiomass, nounbiome, nounbiosphere, nounblind, nounbrain, nounbreathe, verbbreed, verbbreed, nounbreeding, nounbristle, nounbulb, nouncapsule, nouncarbohydrate, nouncarbon dioxide, nouncarnivore, nouncell, nouncellular, adjectivecellulose, nouncentral nervous system, nouncervical, adjectivecholesterol, nounchromosome, nouncirculation, nouncirculatory, adjectiveclass, nounclone, nouncold-blooded, adjectiveconceive, verbconch, nounconnective tissue, nouncopulate, verbcoral reef, nouncornea, nouncoronary, adjectivecorpuscle, nouncortex, nouncortisone, nouncowrie, nouncrab, nouncrawfish, nouncrayfish, nouncreature, nouncross, verbcrossbreed, nounculture, nouncytoplasm, noundecay, verbdecay, noundecompose, verbdefecate, verbdenizen, noundextrose, noundiaphragm, noundigest, verbdigestion, noundigestive, adjectiveDNA, noundorsal, adjectivedry rot, nounduct, noundwarf, noundwarf, adjectiveecological, adjectiveecology, nounecosystem, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbembryo, nounembryonic, adjectiveenzyme, nounepidermis, nounevolution, nounevolutionary, adjectiveexcrement, nounexcrescence, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexhale, verbexoskeleton, nounextinction, nounfaeces, nounfamily, nounfang, nounfat, nounfatty acid, nounfauna, nounfeces, nounfeed, verbfemale, adjectivefemale, nounferment, verbferment, nounfertile, adjectivefertility, nounfertilize, verbfission, nounflank, nounflatulence, nounflesh, nounfleshy, adjectiveflightless, adjectiveflora, nounfoetal, adjectivefoetus, nounfoliage, nounfossil, nounfreak, nounfreshwater, adjectivefructose, noungamete, nounganglion, noungene, noungene pool, noungenera, genetic, adjectivegenetic code, noungenetic engineering, noungenetic fingerprinting, noungenetics, noungenome, noungenus, noungestation, noungland, nounglandular, adjectiveglucose, noungluten, noungonad, noungrass snake, noungrow, verbgrowth, nounhabitat, nounhaemoglobin, nounhearing, nounheart, nounhemisphere, nounherbivore, nounhereditary, adjectiveheredity, nounhermaphrodite, nounhibernate, verbhistamine, nounhoming, adjectivehormone, nounhost, nounimpregnate, verbimpulse, nounincubate, verbindigenous, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveinfertile, adjectiveinfest, verbingest, verbinhale, verbinseminate, verbinsensate, adjectiveinsulin, nounintegument, nounintercourse, nouninterferon, nounintestine, nouninvertebrate, nouninvoluntary, adjectiveiris, nounjaw, nounjelly, nounkidney, nounkrill, nounlactate, verblactation, nounlactic acid, nounleech, nounleg, nounlesser, adjectivelichen, nounlife, nounlife cycle, nounlife form, nounligament, nounlimb, nounlimpet, nounlipid, nounliver, nounliving fossil, nounlocomotion, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmale, adjectivemale, nounmammal, nounmandible, nounmate, nounmate, verbmembrane, nounmetabolism, nounmetabolize, verbmetamorphosis, nounmicrobe, nounmicrobiology, nounmicroorganism, nounmicroscopic, adjectivemigrate, verbmigratory, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmolar, nounmorphology, nounmotor, adjectivemould, nounmouth, nounmucous membrane, nounmucus, nounmulticellular, adjectivemuscle, nounmuscular, adjectivemutant, nounmutate, verbmutation, nounnatural history, nounnatural selection, nounnature, nounneck, nounnectar, nounnerve, nounnervous, adjectivenervous system, nounneural, adjectiveneuro-, prefixneurology, nounnode, nounnose, nounnostril, nounnucleic acid, nounnucleus, nounnutrient, nounnutriment, nounoesophagus, nounoestrogen, nounolfactory, adjectiveoptic, adjectiveorgan, nounorganic, adjectiveorganic chemistry, nounorganism, nounorifice, nounossify, verbosteo-, prefixoutgrowth, nounova, ovary, nounoverwinter, verboviduct, nounoviparous, adjectiveovulate, verbovum, nounparasite, nounpathogen, nounpedigree, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenile, adjectivepenis, nounpepsin, nounperiod, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphotosynthesis, nounphylum, nounpigment, nounpigmentation, nounplankton, nounplasma, nounpollinate, verbpostnatal, adjectivepregnancy, nounpregnant, adjectivepremature, adjectiveprenatal, adjectiveproduct, nounproliferation, nounpropagate, verbprotein, nounprotoplasm, nounprotozoan, nounpuberty, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulsation, nounputrefy, verbputrid, adjectivered blood cell, nounregurgitate, verbrenal, adjectivereproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectiverespiration, nounrespiratory, adjectiverespire, verbretina, nounroot, nounrot, verbrot, nounruff, nounsac, nounsaliva, nounsalivary gland, nounsalivate, verbsaltwater, adjectivescale, nounscallop, nounscaly, adjectivesebaceous, adjectivesecrete, verbsecretion, nounsemen, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectiveserum, nounsex, nounsex, verbsexless, adjectivesexual intercourse, nounsheath, nounshell, nounsibling, nounskeletal, adjectiveskeleton, nounskin, nounskull, nounspasm, nounspasmodic, adjectivespecies, nounspecimen, nounsperm, nounspiderweb, nounspinal cord, nounspine, nounspineless, adjectivestarch, nounstem cell, nounstimulate, verbstimulus, nounstrain, nounsubject, nounsubspecies, nounsucker, nounsucrose, nounsweat, verbsweat, nounsweat gland, nounsymbiosis, nounsystemic, adjectivetail, nountaxonomy, nounteeth, testosterone, nountest-tube baby, nountissue, nountrachea, nountube, noununicellular, adjectiveurethra, nounuric, adjectiveurinate, verburine, nounvariety, nounvector, nounvein, nounvenom, nounvenomous, adjectiveventricle, nounvertebra, nounvertebrate, nounvivisection, nounwarm-blooded, adjectivewean, verbwildlife, nounwindpipe, nounyolk, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives a bewildering variety of choices a huge range of issues There was an infinite variety of drinks to choose from. This year’s festival includes a wide range of entertainers. holidays to a wide choice of destinationsCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· They hold debates on a wide variety of topics.
· Fruit is eaten by a huge variety of animals and birds.
· There is a seemingly infinite variety of beers to choose from.
· A rich variety of plants grows here.
(=so many that you feel confused)· There is a bewildering variety of roses to choose from.
· The market has an amazing variety of fresh fish.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a bewildering variety of choices· A combination of factors led to the closure of the factory.
a huge range of issues There was an infinite variety of drinks to choose from. This year’s festival includes a wide range of entertainers. holidays to a wide choice of destinations· There are different varieties of Keynesians and monetarists.· In this case every firm ends up producing a different variety of the product.· I am also looking back over the last five years at gross margins of different wheat varieties we have grown.· Instead he fills them with any of the dozens of different varieties of liquid that line the walls of his lab.· Only a few thousand of the 250,000 different varieties of wild flowers have been named, he explained.· There are many different varieties of wraps, perfect for each meal of the day.· Three giant production centres on 75 acres of land making 254 different varieties of ice creams and lollies.· In fact, the gene-altered products often seem little different from ordinary varieties when lined up on store shelves.
· Clearly a great variety of difficulty could be introduced into the tests.· The greatest variety of birds are sighted in late April and May and in late August and September.· Alone, words are subject to a too great variety of interpretation.· There is also an increasing trend towards greater variety in family formations.· There's a great variety of bracken, ferns and other plant life.· Most people still find work in the same towns but in a greater variety of industries.· Methodology and Sources Crime has been studied from a great variety of perspectives.· If you find a great deal of variety, you probably need to articulate a mission for the group.
· Other places contain a huge variety of species and have a high biomass.· I've done a lot of work with a huge variety of sprayers.· To some, the huge variety of life in the Burgess shale has been an inspiration.· The huge variety of shapes is partly fashion and partly an attempt to avoid a phenomenon known as spin out.· Murren has a huge variety of signposted walks to take you over the hills and into the mountains.· It was clear from this point that the agencies represented worked in a huge variety of situations.· The existence of such a rule of recognition may take any of a huge variety of forms, simple or complex.· A huge variety will be on sale this year: the majority are frozen and by far the cheapest.
· This should remind of you of the infinite varieties in any one colour and also set you thinking about texture.· The universe offers no such categories or simplifications; only flux and infinite variety.· The sun on its endless tour round and round the sky gives shadows and hues of infinite variety.· It is impossible to describe the infinite variety of hysterical gaits.· Ready to yield up its infinite variety.· Although infinite in variety, it was singular in appeal.· Aristotle would then be saying that the infinite variety of size of Democritean atoms was all below the threshold of perception.· The infinite variety of questions and possible answers, of course, account for the diversity within the subgenre.
· Cornell University also offers a large variety of short courses on specific themes, held during the summer session.· The largest variety of courses was in dance.· Gravel crunched and a large coniferous variety of evergreen-layered tree waved the path forward as clear.· We consider ourselves heirs to a large variety of historic civilizations.· The development of the gardens has been given high priority and there is a large variety of named trees and shrubs.· This larger variety of the species is sometimes offered in the trade under the commercial name Sagittaria gigantea Hort.· Most kinds of top fruit are available in a large range of varieties.· It was the larger, sweeter varieties that spread, and even they had a hard time of it.
· The Cotwolds is an important test centre for new varieties of Linseed.· Travel at home and abroad has introduced new varieties of cheese and different cheese dishes.· With the growing interest in waterlilies enthusiasts all over the world are producing new varieties every year.· Now two new varieties have arrived to lure the sweet-toothed.· Fifty-eight new varieties London, Christie's, 14 April.· With all the new and reintroduced varieties now on the market there has never been a better time to grow from seed.· Many new varieties are currently being evaluated in order to widen the range of suitable varieties. requirements 1.· A comparatively new variety, Bandit, also impressed with yielding ability.
· Changes in the component values, the particular diode, and the source frequency can give a rich variety of observations.· This rich variety should be preserved, not destroyed, by the gospel.· It is a day to celebrate the rich variety of people within our parish rather than create unnecessary divisions.· The Mawddach Estuary has a rich variety of wetland and woodland habitats attracting a wide range of different species.· A rich variety of plants was found in Central Region ponds, including 68 types of aquatic and 35 wetland plants.· There are several footpaths around the village, which during the summer months provide a rich variety of flora and fauna.· The rich variety of geographical environments provides a background to the diversity of ways of life and traditions of the Yugoslav peoples.· In no area is there a greater need for a rich variety of creative ideas.
· Moreover, it has been reworked within the cultural forms and practices of a whole variety of subaltern groups.· Outdoor play is particularly important because it helps them develop in a whole variety of ways.· However, an evaluation of rural depopulation needs to take account of a whole variety of factors.· The answer is that they can't, for a whole variety of reasons.· To help keep the Goblin alive, if not exactly intact, a whole variety of life preserving techniques were originally developed.· A whole variety of subtle strategies are available.· A whole variety of factors will affect the cycle, changing the lengths of each stage or the relationship between stages.
· Customer profiles External information was available from a wide variety of sources.· It is currently used in a wide variety of products, platforms, and industries around the world.· Make sure you eat a wide variety of the foods you enjoy.· The decades that followed were host to a wide variety of romance types.· But certain parts of Levi-Strauss' schema have application to a wide variety of ethnographic materials.· The child-use section contains instructional materials in a wide variety of format and subject matter for the children themselves.· A wide variety of experience and direction is on offer.· It feeds on a wide variety of fish - 43 different species are known to be taken as prey.
NOUN· The Big Three-O will be a spectacular variety show and will be broadcast on the network on 28 December.· The whole crowd later went to a variety show at the Winter Gardens.· United are a variety show when they should be the movie.
VERB· This means choosing the right variety can play an important part in making savings further into the season.· Teachers may choose among a variety of strategies.· When choosing several varieties, remember that cross-pollination may be important and that some fruits store for longer than others.· They are told that these are but two examples of relaxation techniques chosen from a wide variety.· You should choose a variety of foods and ring the changes with meals.· Players can choose from among a variety of ancient civilizations, and the software provides detailed historical information about each.· However, if you choose the right varieties, they will also brighten up your garden in a cool, dull summer.· For any particular study one can choose a particular variety of time.
· Social organization is complex and always includes a variety of classes, orders and groups.· For the same reason, it is also important to include a variety of drinking settings.· Edward Taylor's inspirational jacquard designs include a variety of bold and vibrant patterns based upon cultural themes and motifs.· The social relationships engaged in by Margaret Nicholson include a wide variety of friends and the stress on family ties is missing.· No copying process is perfect, however, and the population of replicators comes to include varieties that differ from one another.
· Menus offer a good variety, and regular barbecues are held.· P-Trak does offer a variety of other personal information such as names, addresses and phone numbers.· Sons and daughters could offer the widest variety of support, and were particularly important.· Adventures on a Shoestring has been offering a variety of 90-minute weekend walking tours of New York City for 34 years.· New seasonal selections are added throughout the year; offering a variety of both traditional favourites, as well as more adventurous dishes.· Restaurants across the country are now offering a wide variety of classic and innovative game dishes.· South Gare offers a variety of small fish.· This offers a fine variety of climbing on the edge of Haskett gully.
· To overcome this problem many policy papers which examine population ageing produce a variety of projections using different fertility assumptions.· In this case every firm ends up producing a different variety of the product.· With the growing interest in waterlilies enthusiasts all over the world are producing new varieties every year.· Then for every pair of countries that actively produce varieties of the good, we should expect to observe intraindustry trade.· That would produce both balance and variety in the media taken as a whole.· To do this, infants use their motor systems to produce a variety of purposeful actions and behaviors.· These silicate groups come together by sharing oxygen atoms to produce a variety of structures.· Commercially pure ethanol is produced using a variety of chemical reactions to eliminate the water.
· There are also many organisations who provide a variety of services to people with HIV/AIDS.· Instead, the company said it provides a variety of ways for employees to resolve conflicts and complaints.· Arrangements have been made with Epps Aviation to provide a variety of services including training, sales and engineering support.· The center, he adds, should provide a wide variety of culture-enriching performances, even if some are not successful.· Griffiths made it clear that care and support could be provided from a variety of sources.· On the other hand the Basic Contemporary Romance provides variety and, occasionally, the unexpected.· Chapter 3 provides information on a variety of religious faiths, and it was here I found the text least satisfactory.· In areas where gardens are protected and some extra care is provided, most cabbage varieties can be virtually a year-round crop.
· With bricks you must be sure to use the correct variety.· It is currently used in a wide variety of products, platforms, and industries around the world.· A small cottage industry of biotechnology firms has sprung up to investigate this, using a variety of methods.· Sheet steel is used in a wide variety of applications ranging from pails to car hoods.· Changes in the service system in Nottinghamshire were monitored using a wide variety of sources.· Calcium is determined using a variety of other reagents and most reliably by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.· In Bloomington, Ill., police use a variety of gang definitions, cobbled together from various state and local edicts.· But if you want a great apple pie, use a variety of apples.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► variety is the spice of lifePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Children do badly at school for a variety of reasons.
- For a variety of reasons, our team will not be participating.
- The college offers a wide variety of language courses.
- The reef fishes display an almost endless variety of colors and patterns.
- He held that there were a variety of different rightness-making properties.
- It includes searchable Olympic housing ads and event schedules, restaurant reviews, local attraction listings and a variety of news summaries.
- Milosevic has not used force for a variety of reasons, but none of them neatly squares with conventional wisdom.
- Our night school was different for them, though, and they showed us that in a variety of ways.
- The tragedy is now being pieced together from a variety of reports from outside the immediate impact area.
- These could carry nuclear or conventional high explosives or a variety of runway-cratering sub-munitions.
- They are made very dependent on a variety of specialists for information and advice ... and in fact so are the parents.
- They soon spread to a variety of habitats, but in the Palaeozoic they were conspicuously abundant in relatively shallow environments.
- A regular newsletter keeps people in touch and a whole series of social events are undertaken.
- Exercise, in addition to good nutrition, can guard against a whole range of serious ailments.
- I think it is going into your subconscious and picking up a whole series of signals.
- It is practical activity that is important; the handling of a whole range of materials.
- Knitters can choose from a whole range of techniques and their selection will be put on to a video, exclusive to them.
- Parks provide space for a whole range of events, from steam rallies to horse shows.
- Since then he had survived a whole series of setbacks.
WORD FAMILYnounvariablevariancevariantvarietyvariabilityvariationadjectivevariable ≠ invariablevariedvariousadverbvariably ≠ invariablyvariouslyverbvary
1a variety of something a lot of things of the same type that are different from each other in some way: The girls come from a variety of different backgrounds.2[uncountable] the differences within a group, set of actions etc that make it interesting: I really like the variety the store has to offer.give/add/bring variety (to something) (=make something more interesting) Occasionally working from home adds variety to a job.3[countable] a type of thing, such as a plant or animal, that is different from others in the same groupvariety of The lake has more than 20 varieties of fish.4[countable usually singular] a particular type of person or thing – often used humorouslyof the ... variety Lon has no patience with anything of the child variety.5variety is the spice of life used to say that doing a lot of different things, meeting different people etc is what makes life interestingCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa wide/great/large variety· They hold debates on a wide variety of topics.a huge/enormous variety· Fruit is eaten by a huge variety of animals and birds.an infinite/endless variety· There is a seemingly infinite variety of beers to choose from.a rich variety· A rich variety of plants grows here.a bewildering variety (=so many that you feel confused)· There is a bewildering variety of roses to choose from.an amazing variety· The market has an amazing variety of fresh fish.