several
several
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "several" (American English) is:
/ˈsɛv(ə)ɹəl/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First syllable (sev):
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (similar to the "s" sound in "sip")
/ɛ/ - mid central vowel (similar to the "e" sound in "bet")
/v(ə) (optional) - labiodental approximant (a short "uh" sound, sometimes omitted)
Second syllable (rul):
/ɹ/ - alveolar approximant (similar to the "r" sound in American English)
/əl/ - syllabic liquid (a central vowel sound combined with an "l" sound)
Word Form Variations
The word "several" itself functions as a determiner indicating an indefinite amount more than a few but less than many. It doesn't have a separate singular or plural form.
However, because "several" refers to quantity, the noun that follows it will always be plural. For instance:
Singular: This book is interesting. (Incorrect with "several")
Plural: Several books are interesting. (Correct)
There is a very archaic and uncommon plural form "severals," but it's not recommended for regular use in modern English.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
"Several" primarily functions as a determiner, but it can also be used as a pronoun in specific contexts. Here's a breakdown with original definitions, synonyms, and antonyms:
1. Determiner:
Definition: An indefinite amount that is more than a few but less than many.
Synonyms: a few, some, a number of, several dozen (informal)
Antonyms: few, a couple, one (for singular nouns), none
Example: Several people raised their hands in agreement.
2. Pronoun (less common):
Definition: A small, unspecified number of people or things. (Note: This usage is less frequent and tends to be used with "of" before the following noun.)
Synonyms: a few (pronoun), some (pronoun)
Antonyms: none (for pronouns)
Example: I invited many people, but several of them couldn't make it.
Examples of Use
Here are some examples of "several" used in different contexts:
Book: "Several hours passed before Elizabeth dared to creep downstairs again." (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen)
Newspaper: "The study included several thousand participants across the country." (The New York Times)
Online Publication: "Several new features were announced in the recent software update." (TechCrunch)
Television: "I need you to find several witnesses to this event." (Scene from a crime drama)
Movie: "Several paths lead to the top of the mountain, but only one is safe." (Fantasy adventure film)
Social Media: "Several of my friends are going to the concert this weekend." (Social media post)
Public Discourse: "The mayor outlined several plans to address the city's traffic congestion." (Speech by a politician)
Instruction Manual: "Several tools are required to complete this project." (Assembly instructions)
Conversation: "I tried several different recipes before finding the perfect one." (Casual conversation)
Restaurant Menu: "We offer several vegetarian options on our menu." (Restaurant menu description)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Several
"Several excuses are always less convincing than one." - Voltaire (French philosopher)
"We are too much accustomed to attribute to a single cause that which is the product of several, and the majority of our controversies come from that." - Claude Adrien Helvétius (French philosopher)
"It is a good rule after every debate to ask yourself honestly whether you have increased your knowledge or merely strengthened your convictions." - Eric Hoffer (American philosopher) (This quote cleverly uses "several" in its original meaning, though not as common today: "after several debates")
"Several things appear impossible at first attempt, but they become possible when we take the trouble." - Chinese Proverb
"Several misfortunes have happened to me, but in reality they have not happened to me – I have happened to them." - Epictetus (Greek Stoic philosopher)
"Several warnings were issued before the storm hit." (This is a common use in news reporting)
"I've got several tricks up my sleeve." (This is a common idiom meaning to have hidden resources or plans)
"Several roads lead to Rome." (This proverb highlights that there can be multiple ways to achieve the same goal)
"Several minds are better than one." (This proverb emphasizes the value of collaboration and diverse perspectives)
"I need several cups of coffee before I can function in the morning." (This is a casual example of using "several" to describe a quantity in everyday life)
Etymology
The word "several" actually comes from a much older word that means "separate"! Way back in ancient Rome, they had a word "separare" which meant to divide things up. Over time, a related word "separalis" popped up, which meant something like "being separate" or "having several parts."
Fast forward a bunch of centuries, and French borrowed this word "separalis" and turned it into "several." English then borrowed it from French in the Middle Ages (around the 1400s). At first, "several" meant something closer to "separate" or "divided," but over time, it came to mean the specific amount we use it for today: more than a few, but not a lot.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Several
Here are some phrases and idioms that use the word "several":
Several of: This is used to indicate a specific, but unspecified, number of people or things within a larger group. (e.g., "Several of the students volunteered for the project.")
For several reasons: This phrase introduces a list of reasons for something.
On several occasions: This phrase indicates that something happened more than once, but not necessarily a specific number of times.
A few of: This is a synonym for "several of" that might be used for a smaller number.
Quite a few: This implies a number closer to "many" but still indefinite.
Several times: This indicates that something happened repeatedly, but not necessarily a specific number of times.
I've got several things on my plate: This idiom means you are busy with many tasks or responsibilities.
There are several sides to every story: This proverb means there are often multiple perspectives on a situation.
Several cooks spoil the broth: This proverb suggests that too many people involved in a project can lead to problems.
Posts Related to Several
Source Information
Definition of several from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
