sev·er·al
ˈse-və-rəl 
ˈsev-rəl
1
a
: separate or distinct from one another
federal union of the several states
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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
Articles Related to several
Cite this Entry
“Several.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
several
1 of 2 adjective
sev·er·al
ˈsev-(ə-)rəl
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
-ē
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 States—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. I
severally
adverb
Etymology
Adjective
Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin separalis, from Latin separ separate
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