# several

/ˈsɛvɝəɫ/ (US) · /sˈɛvɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/several
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a small number

determiner · CEFR A2

more than two but not many.

For teachers: denoting an indefinite number that is more than two but not a large amount.

- I have visited several European countries, including France, Italy, and Spain.
- Several witnesses came forward after the police appeal, though their accounts of the incident varied significantly.

Usage: Always used with plural countable nouns.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'a few'; 'several' usually implies a slightly higher number than 'a few' but fewer than 'many'.

### 2. various or different

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

different or separate.

For teachers: referring to various or distinct items or individuals within a group.

- The three friends went their several ways after the party ended.
- The committee members expressed their several opinions on the matter before reaching a final consensus.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun; often used in the phrase 'their several ways'.

### 3. separate legal responsibility

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

used in law to mean that each person is responsible on their own.

For teachers: relating to a legal liability or interest that is separate and distinct for each party involved, rather than shared.

- The partners have several liability for the company's debts.
- The contract specified joint and several liability, meaning the creditor could sue the group together or any individual member for the full amount.

Usage: Commonly found in the phrase 'joint and several'.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized legal term; in everyday English, 'several' almost always refers to quantity.

## Examples

- I have several books to read this weekend.
- The manager interviewed several candidates for the position before making a final decision.
- Although the committee reached a consensus on the primary goal, several members expressed reservations regarding the proposed timeline for implementation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.