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variety
/vəˈɹaɪ.ɪ.ti/
Variety evokes a sense of abundance through difference. It suggests that the value of a collection lies not in the quantity of items, but in how distinct those items are from one another. In general contexts, it carries a positive connotation of richness and avoidance of monotony. While 'diversity' often refers to social or biological systemic differences, 'variety' is more commonly used for consumer choices, hobbies, or sensory experiences. In botanical or zoological contexts, the word shifts from a general feeling of diversity to a technical classification. Here, it describes a specific subtype or cultivar, emphasizing a stable set of traits that distinguish it from others of the same species.
💬Trò chuyện
this new skin pack is mid. no variety at all.
bet. i'll just stick with the default then.
Ý nghĩa
Ví dụ
The variety of colors here is just stunning, isn't it?
I love the variety of snacks in this vending machine!
God, why is there such a variety of junk on your desk?
Look, we need more variety in this project or it's boring.
Is this a rare variety of orchid? It looks exotic!
I'm sorry, we don't carry that specific variety of tomato.
There is a huge variety of options for dinner tonight.
Seriously? You're buying another variety of the same damn soap?
The variety of wildlife in this park is truly impressive.
I just crave some variety in my life, you know?
Cụm từ kết hợp
wide variety
A large number of different types of things.
vast variety
An extensive or immense range of different items or characteristics.
variety of choice
The state of having many different options to select from.
plant variety
A specific subgroup of a plant species with distinct characteristics.
lack of variety
A state where things are too similar or monotonous.
Thành ngữ & Tục ngữ
variety is the spice of life
The belief that new and different experiences make life more interesting.
Bối cảnh văn hóa
For centuries, we have clung to the adage that "variety is the spice of life," but this sentiment is far more than a quaint proverb; it is a biological and psychological imperative. From an evolutionary perspective, our ancestors who sought out a variety of food sources were the ones most likely to survive. A diet limited to a single crop or animal species left early humans vulnerable to famine if that one source failed. This "nutritional diversification" hard-wired a craving for novelty into our DNA, creating a sensory drive to explore new tastes and environments.
In psychology, this phenomenon is known as the "optimal stimulation level." Humans exist in a delicate balance between boredom and anxiety. When our environment becomes too predictable, we experience cognitive stagnation. To counteract this, we seek out variety—whether through travel, art, or changing our daily routines—to trigger the release of dopamine in the brain's reward system. This is why the same meal, no matter how delicious, eventually loses its appeal; it is a mechanism called sensory-specific satiety, designed to push us toward other nutrients.
Beyond biology, this drive for variety has fueled the greatest leaps in human civilization. The Renaissance was essentially an explosion of intellectual variety, as scholars moved away from rigid dogma to explore science, anatomy, and perspective simultaneously. Even in the modern digital age, our algorithmic feeds are designed to feed this hunger by providing a constant stream of diverse content. However, there is a paradox here: while we crave variety, too much of it can lead to "choice paralysis," where an overwhelming number of options makes us unable to decide at all.
Ultimately, the human spirit thrives on the tension between stability and change. We need the comfort of the known, but we are defined by our pursuit of the different. By embracing variety in our thoughts, relationships, and experiences, we don't just make life more interesting—we ensure our own resilience and growth as a species.