several

1 of 2

adjective

sev·​er·​al ˈse-və-rəl How to pronounce several (audio)
ˈsev-rəl
1
a
: separate or distinct from one another
federal union of the several states
b(1)
: individually owned or controlled : exclusive
a several fishery
compare common
(2)
: of or relating separately to each individual involved
a several judgment
c
: being separate and distinctive : respective
specialists in their several fields
2
a
: more than one
several pleas
b
: more than two but fewer than many
moved several inches
c
chiefly dialectal : being a great many

several

2 of 2

pronoun

plural in construction
: an indefinite number more than two and fewer than many
several of the guests

Examples of several in a Sentence

Adjective It took several days for the package to arrive. He arrived several hours ago. We added several more names to the list. The meat can be cooked several ways. There are several similar stores at the mall. a federal union of the several states
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Released in December, the latest iteration of the league’s drug policy took several more steps toward leniency. Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025 Even if the current standoff cools down, bad blood could linger, several industry-watchers have said — and not just in Canada. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 But a little over 8 minutes in — roughly the same timing as the mishap in January — several engines appeared to cut off as the upper-stage Starship vehicle was still accelerating into space. Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025 Last fall, songs by Adele, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Green Day and more artists were blocked for several days on YouTube in the U.S. over a dispute with performing rights organization SESAC before the two sides reached an agreement. Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for several

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate, back-formation from separare to separate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Pronoun

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of several was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Several.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

several

1 of 2 adjective
sev·​er·​al ˈsev-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce several (audio)
1
: separate or distinct from one another : different
federal union of the several states
2
: being more than two but not very many
several persons
severally
adverb

several

2 of 2 pronoun
: a small number : more than two but not very many
several of the guests

Legal Definition

several

adjective
sev·​er·​al
1
a
: of or relating separately to each individual involved
specifically : enforceable separately against each party
each promisor owed a several duty
see also several liability at liability sense 2b, several obligation at obligation
b
: being separately or individually responsible, liable, or obligated
a several obligor
compare joint
2
: separate or distinct from one another
to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several StatesU.S. Constitution art. I
severally adverb
Etymology

Adjective

Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate

More from Merriam-Webster on several

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