Definition and meaning of English word "several"
several
/ˈsɛvərəl/
Meaning
determinerConsisting of a number more than one (especially, more than two) but not very many.
How to use
The determiner 'several' is often used to describe a small, but indefinite number of things. For example, 'I have several books to read.' A common learner mistake is to use 'several' to describe a large number of things, when in fact 'many' or 'a lot of' would be more suitable. In English, 'several' typically implies a number of things that is more than one, but not very many.
🇬🇧 English
several
Example
I have several books
She ate several sandwiches
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- several times— many times, but not very many
- several people— a small group of people
- after several attempts— after trying many times, but not very many
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #601 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "several" mean?▼
The English word "several" means "several" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "several"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "several" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "several"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Used for counting" (which translates as "several").
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