3 syllables: Var, i, ous. Stress on Var.
VER-ee-uhs
/ˈvɛɹiəs/
Various is pronounced VER-ee-uhs (/ˈvɛɹiəs/). It has three syllables (Var-i-ous), with the stress on "Var". Various is an adjective meaning 'several but not all; differing in kind or kind of' and is used to describe a range of items or types. It implies diversity within a group, without specifying exact quantities. The pronunciation typically places the primary stress on the second syllable, and the word flows with a quick, even rhythm in natural speech.
adjectiveVarious is an adjective meaning 'several but not all; differing in kind or kind of' and is used to describe a range of items or types. It implies diversity within a group, without specifying exact quantities. The pronunciation typically places the primary stress on the second syllable, and the word flows with a quick, even rhythm in natural speech.
How to Pronounce Various
"We sampled various fruits to compare flavors."
"The conference covered various topics, from technology to ethics."
"She wore various patterns of fabric to the workshop."
US/UK/AU pronunciation shares the same key sounds: /ˈvær.i.əs/ or /ˈveəri.əs/ in some British transcriptions. The primary stress is on the first syllable: VAR-ee-us. For US and AU listeners, the first vowel is typically a low-front lax /æ/ in stressed syllable, followed by a reduced second syllable /-ɪ-/ or /-i-/, and ending with a schwa /-əs/. Practice by isolating the first syllable to lock in the /ˈvær/ or /ˈveə/ sequence, then connect to /i.əs/. Visualize the lips slightly spread, tongue high-mid for /vær/ and a relaxed jaw to glide into /i.əs/.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (e.g., vo-RAH-ous) and pronouncing the middle vowel as a full /eɪ/ or /e/ instead of a reduced /ɪ/ or /ə/. Another frequent error is pronouncing the final /əs/ as /s/ or /z/ without the schwa, making it sound clipped. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, use a short /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ of the second syllable, and finish with a light /ə/ before /s/. Record yourself, compare to /ˈvær.i.əs/ and adjust the final vowel to a quick, neutral schwa.
In US English, the first syllable often uses /æ/ as in 'cat' with a clear /r/ following in some speakers; the middle is reduced to /ɪ/ or /ə/, and the final /əs/ is a light /əs/. UK speakers may use /ˈveə.ri.əs/ with a clearer first diphthong and less rhotic influence; AU tends toward /ˈvæ.ri.əs/ or /ˈveə.ri.əs/ depending on speaker, maintaining a non-rhotic tendency in some areas. Across accents, the main differences are vowel quality in the first syllable and the degree of rhoticity; the final schwa remains common in all, with a crisp /s/ or /z/ depending on surrounding phonetics.
The difficulty lies in balancing syllable unstressed reduction with maintaining the distinct /æ/ or /eə/ in the first syllable, while ensuring the middle /i/-like vowel is reduced and the final /əs/ remains light and quick. Learners often flatten the first syllable to /æɹ/ or stretch it into /e/; keep it short and crisp. Practice with slow, then faster tempo, emphasizing the contrast between the stressed first syllable and the reduced middle, and finish with a subdued final /əs/.
The unique aspect is the three-syllable rhythm with a stress on the first, followed by a quick, light second syllable and a heavily reduced final syllable. It’s not a long word, but the transition from the tense first vowel to the reduced middle and final schwa influences intelligibility in rapid speech. Paying attention to the precise vowel lengths in the first and second syllables and the crispness of the final /s/ helps avoid slurring or mispronunciation.
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Various comes from Latin varius meaning 'changing, diverse' which evolved through Old French varius and Middle English varying to describe things of different kinds. The root vari- conveys the idea of difference or change, and words like variety, diversify share this lineage. First attested in English in the 14th century, the term gradually specialized in describing a range or mixture of things rather than a single kind. By the 16th–17th centuries, 'various' was firmly established in modern English usage to denote multiple kinds or several; varieties of a thing, or things that differ in kind or character. The semantic shift toward implying diversity while maintaining a sense of collectively belonging to a group helped anchor its current usage in both written and spoken English.
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Words that rhyme with "Various"
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