varied

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "varied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a range of different things are present, or when something changes or has many varieties. Example: The streets of the city were full of a varied selection of shops and restaurants.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Filled with humour and almost real-time practical advice about the weekly price movements of supermarket food, it is a plain-speaking, practical austerity cookery guide – quite literally how to feed yourself and your toddler on £10 a week, in ways that are healthy, tasty and, importantly (to relieve the tedium of baked beans), varied.

The Guardian

The background: Having Antony Hegarty as our temporary editor this week at guardian.co.uk/music has been an education because the acts he's chosen as New Bands have been so varied and vital – and from areas that even a column such as this, with a history of lionising the esoteric (and we don't mean Lady Gaga), might consider arcane.

The Guardian - Music

Equipment and format aside, the genesis of a comic and the way it all comes together is also hugely varied.

The Guardian - Books

At the time, there were protests from the far right, most notably Jean-Marie Le Pen of the Front National, who complained that the varied ethnic origins of the players meant that this was not really a "French" team at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each will have their own reasons and they will be as varied as they are for the men who are deciding to step down.

The Guardian

Her pieces varied in mood from lacerating and shocking to playful, comical and celebratory, but for most of her career she grappled with that brutally simple, tortuously difficult question: in the face of so much cruelty and suffering in the world, what are an artist's ethical and political responsibilities?

The Guardian - Arts

The accommodation prices analysed by the Guardian varied in the services included in the package, the length of contracts and special offers.

The Guardian

Alongside selling collections of loose tea and teaware, the site displays 30 recipes for cocktails as varied as an oolong negroni to an Earl Grey martini, and for those looking to jazz up their meals, there are recipes for a jasmine creme brulee and tea-smoked duck.

The Guardian

And the rides are as varied as the people: giant artics, luxurious Audis, knackered old vans.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am almost entirely sure that the comments underneath this article will be as varied as those underneath my original post.

The Guardian - Music

The reality, alas, is more mundane and varied.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "varied", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being diversified. Providing specific examples or categories can enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "varied" with overly general nouns like 'things' or 'aspects' without providing further detail. This can weaken the impact of your writing and leave the reader wondering about the specific differences.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "varied" primarily functions to describe a noun as consisting of different types or elements. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "varied" modifies nouns like 'options', 'cuisines', 'backgrounds', and 'approaches', indicating diversity or multiplicity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "varied" is a versatile adjective used to describe diversity and multiplicity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely used across numerous contexts. It's crucial to use "varied" with specific nouns to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases include "diverse", "multifarious", and "heterogeneous", each offering a slightly different nuance. Remember, this word is your reliable workhorse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverse

Focuses on the range of different elements within a group, emphasizing variety in composition.

miscellaneous

Suggests a collection of different and unrelated items, often implying a lack of clear categorization.

multifarious

Highlights the numerous aspects or elements of something, emphasizing complexity and abundance.

heterogeneous

Emphasizes the differences in origin or nature of the elements within a group, often in a scientific or technical context.

motley

Implies a collection of things that are different and often incongruous, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.

dissimilar

Highlights the lack of resemblance between things, focusing on their distinct qualities.

divergent

Indicates a difference in direction or opinion, often in the context of ideas or paths.

variable

Suggests that something is subject to change or fluctuation, rather than being fixed or uniform.

modified

Emphasizes that something has been changed or altered from its original form.

assorted

Suggests a collection of different types of similar items, such as candies or pastries.

FAQs

How can I use "varied" in a sentence?

Use "varied" to describe something that includes a range of different types or qualities. For example, "The curriculum includes a "varied" selection of courses."

What are some synonyms for "varied"?

Alternatives include "diverse", "multifarious", and "heterogeneous". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "varied" or "various"?

"Varied" describes something that has been changed or modified or is diverse. "Various" simply means there are several different things. Use "varied" when emphasizing the diversity or modification and use "various" when indicating quantity.

What's the difference between "varied" and "different"?

"Varied" implies a range of types or qualities within a group, while "different" simply indicates that things are not the same. "The menu offered "varied" cuisines" suggests a range of diverse options, whereas "The restaurants had "different" menus" only means they were not the same.