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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Variety: Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：diversity (variety)

variety 🔊

/vəˈraɪəti/

Many different kinds of things together, making the whole interesting and not boring.

diversity 🔊

➕

/daɪˈvɜːrsəti/

Refers to the quality or state of having many different kinds of elements, which prevents monotony and adds interest.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'varius' meaning 'changing, different, diverse', combined with the suffix '-ety' indicating a state or condition.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'vary' (to change) + 'ety' (state). Variety is the state of having many varying things. A simple phrase: "Very (Vari-) I see (-ety) many different things."

📖 Example

Our university offers a great variety of extracurricular activities, from photography clubs to hiking groups. 🔊 A broad selection of diverse student clubs is available.

🔗 Collocations

a wide variety of – an extensive range of different things

add variety – to introduce differences to prevent sameness

🔄 Synonyms

diversity (n.) – The state of having a range of different things or people.

assortment (n.) – A mixed collection of different things or types.

🚫 Antonyms

uniformity (n.) – The state of being the same; lacking in variation.

sameness (n.) – The quality of being identical or monotonously similar.

🌱 Derivatives

various (adj.) – of several different kinds

varied (adj.) – incorporating a number of different types or elements; showing variation

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'variety' entered English from Old French 'varieté', which itself came from Latin 'varietās' ('difference, diversity'), stemming from 'varius' ('varied, changeable'). Beyond its general meaning, it holds a specific place in entertainment as 'variety shows' (a mix of different acts like music, comedy, and magic) and in horticulture to denote distinct cultivated types of plants, showcasing its application in categorizing diversity.

Meaning 2：specific type (variety)

variety 🔊

/vəˈraɪəti/

A specific type or sort of something within a larger group.

specific type 🔊

➕

/spəˈsɪfɪk taɪp/

Refers to a distinct kind, sort, or subcategory within a broader classification of something.

📁 Category：Botany Research 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

This particular variety of rose is known for its sweet fragrance and long-lasting blooms. 🔊 This specific type of rose plant is famous for its pleasant smell and durable flowers.

🔗 Collocations

a new variety – a recently developed or discovered type

different varieties – distinct types within the same category

🔄 Synonyms

type (n.) – A category of people or things having common characteristics.

kind (n.) – A group of people or things having similar characteristics.

🌱 Derivatives

variegated (adj.) – exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks