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DictionarymedleyVaried mixture
noun

medley

MED-lee/ˈmedli/

A combination of several different components.

The bowl holds a colorful medley of broccoli, carrots, peas, peppers, and cauliflower.

A shallow serving bowl holds a colorful vegetable medley: distinct broccoli florets, carrot rounds, peas, red pepper strips, and cauliflower florets visibly intermingled.
Etymology
medleyOld Frenchhand-to-hand combat

Old French medlee came from mesler, meaning “to mix or mingle.” In English, medley developed a general sense of mixture, then the musical sense of diverse tunes brought together in one composition or entertainment.

In context

Libranima358:24
amazed to see the medley he made of his good sense and his craziness
Don Quixote - Cervantes (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 4 of 4

More examples

  • A medley of voices and footsteps fills the hallway.
  • The band plays a medley of familiar songs.
  • She swims four different strokes in the individual medley.

Forms

medley · medleys

Similar words

mixture
A broader term that puts less emphasis on variety.
assortment
Emphasizes varied items collected together rather than combined into something.
blend
Suggests components combined smoothly rather than remaining noticeably distinct.