several Meaning & Definition
What Does Several Mean?
As an adjective, several means separate or distinct from one another. It can also mean individually owned or controlled. As a pronoun, it means an indefinite number more than two and fewer than many.
Word Facts for Several
| Part of speech | adjective, pronoun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈse-və-rəl/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | various and respective |
| Plural | severals |
| Comparative / superlative | more several, most several |
Several Definition (Adjective)
- separate or distinct from one another
federal union of the several states
- individually owned or controlled : exclusive compare common
a several fishery
- of or relating separately to each individual involved
a several judgment
- being separate and distinctive : respective
specialists in their several fields
- more than one
several pleas
- more than two but fewer than many
moved several inches
- being a great many
Several as a Pronoun
- an indefinite number more than two and fewer than many
several of the guests
Synonyms of Several
Several synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Several
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Several in a Sentence
The firm turns over several million a month.
Several cars were in the parking lot.
They had many journals. I subscribed to several.
Several of the members were absent.
federal union of the several states
a several fishery
a several judgment
specialists in their several fields
several pleas
moved several inches
several of the guests
It took several weeks for the package to arrive.
He arrived several hours ago.
After college, we each went our several ways.
Word Forms & Grammar
several
several (comparative more several, superlative most several)
several (not comparable)
several (plural severals)
Words That Rhyme With Several
Origin of Several
Origin 1: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate, back-formation from separare to separate
Origin 2: From Anglo-Norman several, from Medieval Latin sēparālis, from Latin sēpar (“separate”). By surface analysis, sever + -al. Not related to severe or seven.
First Known Use
15th century
1639
Pronouncing Several
You say several as /ˈse-və-rəl/. It has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (se).
Quick Answers About Several
Is several an adjective or a pronoun?
Several is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a pronoun.
What is another word for several?
Words with a similar meaning to several include various and respective. See the full list of several synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of several?
The plural of several is severals.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of several?
The comparative form is more several and the superlative form is most several.