Cool MateSpecies vs Variety
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Species
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Variety
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Species | Variety | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈspiːʃiːz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈspiːʃiːz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //vəˈraɪəti//🇺🇸 //vəˈraɪəti// |
| Meaning | A group of living things that can reproduce together. | Different types or kinds of something. |
| Example | The tiger is an endangered species due to habitat loss. | There is a great variety of fruits in the market. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | living, extinct, common, be found, grow, live, species of, a member of a species | variety of options, wide variety, great variety, variety show |
| Antonyms | individual, variety | uniformity, similarity |
| Common mistakes | 'Species' is both singular and plural, so don't say 'specieses'., Confusing 'species' with 'special' when talking about unique traits., Using 'specie' which is incorrect when referring to types of plants or animals. | Confused with 'various', which is an adjective., Using 'variety' with uncountable nouns instead of countable., Incorrect pluralization, thinking 'varieties' is less common. |
| Usage notes | Used in both scientific and everyday contexts. It’s appropriate for discussions about biology, animals, plants, and environmental topics. Avoid using colloquially or in informal settings. | Use 'variety' when talking about different types in a group. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. |
Frequently asked questions: Species vs Variety
What's the difference between Species and Variety?
Species: A group of living things that can reproduce together. Variety: Different types or kinds of something.
Which is more advanced: Species and Variety?
Species is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Species and Variety the same CEFR level?
Species: B2, Variety: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Species and Variety?
Species: noun, Variety: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Species: The tiger is an endangered species due to habitat loss. Variety: There is a great variety of fruits in the market.
Can I use Species and Variety interchangeably?
Not always. Species and Variety are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.