Sundry

Sundry is an adjective meaning various or several; it is used to describe items or things that cannot be easily enumerated individually. In noun form the plural “the sundries” refers to miscellaneous items collected together.

The word comes from Old English sundry, meaning separate or distinct. In Middle English it acquired the sense of “several” or “miscellaneous” and has appeared in English texts since the medieval period. The term is now considered formal or somewhat archaic in everyday writing.

Usage: Sundry is more common in formal, legal, or historical prose. It often appears in lists or inventories: “sundry goods,” “sundry articles,” or “the sundries were packed for shipment.” It is frequently used with “and other,” as in “sundry other items,” though many writers simply use “sundry items” or replace it with “miscellaneous items.”

Modern note: In contemporary writing, “miscellaneous” or “various” is usually preferred for clarity. “Sundry” retains a niche role in law, archival texts, and stylistic or humorous prose. The plural form “sundries” is used when referring to the collection as a set of items.