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Garden Variety

What Does "Garden Variety" Mean?

homeidiomsGarden Variety
"Garden variety" is an English idiom. It means "common, ordinary, or unremarkable; typically used to describe something that lacks special or unique qualities."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "garden variety" used in a sentence:
  • The store offered a garden variety of household items, nothing particularly unique.
  • His taste in music was garden variety, with no interest in niche genres.
  • The restaurant served garden variety dishes that were familiar to most diners.
meaning for garden variety

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Garden Variety" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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