You ever find yourself typing the word several and then thinking, “Hmm, I just used this same word three times already!”? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Using the same word over and over can make your writing feel a little… boring. But guess what? There are so many fun and easy words that mean almost the same thing as several! In this post, I’m going to share 21 awesome synonyms that you can use instead.
1. Some
Some is one of the easiest and most common words to use instead of several. It means a small number, but not all. You can use it in casual talk or writing. For example, “I have some cookies left” or “She read some pages of the book”. It keeps things simple and soft when you don’t want to be exact. It’s great when you’re not sure about the number or just don’t want to count. “Some kids were playing in the park” is a nice way to show a small group without saying how many.
2. A few
A few means a small number, usually more than one but not too many. It’s great for friendly, easy writing. If you say, “I watched a few movies last night”, it means maybe 2 or 3. It feels relaxed and not too specific. Use it when the exact number isn’t important. For example, “She brought a few friends to the party”. It’s less than many, but more than one. If you want to say something happened more than once but not a lot, a few works perfectly.
3. A number of
A number of means more than one, often several. It’s a bit more formal than some, but still easy. For example, “A number of students missed the class” tells us it wasn’t just one or two. You can use this in writing or speech to say there’s a group involved. “A number of people called in sick today” gives a clear sense that it’s not just a single person. It sounds a little smart but is still simple to use.
4. Various
Various means different types or kinds, often more than a few. It’s useful when you’re talking about a mix of things. For example, “She has various hobbies like painting, dancing, and gardening”. It shows there’s not just one kind. You can also say, “They visited various cities during their trip” to explain that the trip had many stops. It’s a great word to use when you want to sound a little more creative in your writing.
5. Many
Many is a strong word that shows a lot more than just several. It’s perfect for showing a big number without being exact. For example, “Many people came to the concert” or “She has many books in her room”. It works in both writing and speaking. It’s simple, clear, and shows that the number is larger than some or a few. It’s a nice word when you want your point to sound a little more full or exciting.
6. Numerous
Numerous is a smart word that means a lot of something. It’s like saying many, but with a touch more class. For example, “He made numerous mistakes on the test” or “There are numerous stars in the sky”. It works best when you’re talking about something that’s big in number. It sounds a little more formal than many but still very easy to understand. Use it when you want to add a little style to your writing.
7. Certain
Certain can mean a few special ones from a group. For example, “Certain students were chosen for the trip” or “She likes certain kinds of music”. It doesn’t mean all, and it’s more focused. You can use it when you’re pointing out a small group but not giving the whole list. It makes your sentence feel more exact but still soft and friendly. It works well in both everyday talk and writing.
8. A handful of
A handful of is a fun way to say a small number. It’s like saying you could hold them in your hand! For example, “Only a handful of people came early” or “She picked a handful of flowers”. It gives a picture in your mind, which makes writing more fun. It’s great for storytelling or casual writing. It helps show that the number was small but still mattered.
9. A bunch of
A bunch of is a friendly, casual way to say several. It can mean a small or medium group. For example, “We saw a bunch of ducks at the lake” or “She has a bunch of keys in her bag”. It’s not a formal word, but it feels fun and light. Use it in everyday writing when you don’t want to be too serious. It’s great for conversations or blogs like this one!
10. A couple of
A couple of usually means two, but sometimes people use it to mean a few. For example, “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes” or “She bought a couple of shirts”. It gives a small number and feels simple. It’s good for short, clear sentences. While it mostly means two, in casual talk it can mean more. Just make sure the reader understands the meaning from your sentence.
11. A mix of
A mix of shows a group made of different things. It’s great when you’re talking about variety. For example, “The salad had a mix of fruits and veggies” or “He listened to a mix of songs”. It’s a fun way to say that there were several, and they were not all the same. It keeps things interesting and colorful in your writing. It works great in stories or casual posts.
12. A series of
A series of means a group of things happening one after another. For example, “A series of events led to the decision” or “She posted a series of photos”. It’s useful when you’re talking about time or actions. It gives your sentence a nice flow and shows that several things happened. It’s a little more formal but still easy to use. Try it when you’re telling a story or giving details in order.
13. Different
Different can show there were many things that weren’t the same. For example, “He tried different methods to fix the car” or “They brought different types of cakes”. It tells the reader that more than one item was used or seen. It’s perfect for adding color and variety to your writing. It also makes your sentence feel a bit more alive.
14. Diverse
Diverse is a great word when you want to show variety. It means made up of many kinds. For example, “The team has a diverse group of people” or “She has a diverse taste in music”. It’s a little more formal, but still very clear. It helps you sound smart without being too fancy. It shows that there are several things that are not the same.
15. Multiple
Multiple means more than one, often many. It’s a very direct way to show more than one thing. For example, “She has multiple accounts” or “He made multiple visits to the store”. It’s easy to use and fits in both speaking and writing. It helps make your writing more clear and strong. If you want to say several but sound more sure, this is a good pick.
16. A group of
A group of shows that several things or people were together. For example, “A group of kids played in the yard” or “A group of stars lit up the sky”. It gives a nice image and helps your reader see what you mean. Use it when things are collected or acting together.
17. Scattered
Scattered means several things were spread out. For example, “Scattered books lay on the floor” or “There were scattered showers across the city”. It helps create a picture and show that the things were not in one place. It’s good for writing stories or giving details. It’s also a creative way to avoid repeating several.
18. Various kinds of
Various kinds of is useful when you’re showing different types of something. For example, “The shop sells various kinds of tea” or “She tried various kinds of exercises”. It adds color and shows that there’s not just one kind. It keeps your writing fun and helps explain more clearly.
19. A variety of
A variety of means many kinds, and it’s great when you’re talking about choices. For example, “They offered a variety of snacks” or “He plays a variety of sports”. It’s a very nice way to show that more than one kind was there. It sounds cheerful and works well in many types of writing.
20. More than one
More than one is a clear and easy way to say several. For example, “More than one person agreed” or “More than one mistake was found”. It’s simple, polite, and helps you avoid being too exact. Use it when you want your writing to sound clear and smooth.
21. Plenty of
Plenty of means more than enough, and it’s great when you want to show there’s a lot. For example, “There were plenty of cookies at the party” or “He has plenty of time to finish”. It feels kind and happy, and gives a full feeling. It’s friendly and easy to understand.
I hope this list helps you add more fun and variety to your writing. Using different words for several makes your stories, blogs, or emails sound more lively and less boring. You don’t have to be a grammar expert to mix things up — just try a new word from this list now and then. It really makes a difference!
