SEVERAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does several mean? 

• SEVERAL (adjective)
  The adjective SEVERAL has 3 senses:

1. (used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

2. considered individually

3. distinct and individual

  Familiarity information: SEVERAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SEVERAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

Context example:

several people were injured in the accident

Similar:

some ((quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Considered individually

Synonyms:

respective; several; various

Context example:

the various reports all agreed

Similar:

individual; single (being or characteristic of a single thing or person)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Distinct and individual

Context example:

three several times

Similar:

different (unlike in nature or quality or form or degree)

 Context examples 

Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Well, I tried one or two leads, but could get at nothing which would help our hypothesis, and several points which would make against it.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The impact of her body sent him stumbling backward several steps.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Well, we have several, but we can only test their value by further inquiry.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not distinguish them by the taste.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Martin made no further attempt at conversation, and for several blocks unbroken silence lay upon them.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

If you’d like a change of scene to celebrate the holidays with family or friends, you will have several superb opportunities to travel.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

He go there and soon he come again, himself driving cart on which a great box; this he himself lift down, though it take several to put it on truck for the ship.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He crawled the several steps toward the flame.

(White Fang, by Jack London)