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heterogeneous
/ˌhɛtərəˈdʒiːniəs/
diverse in kind
The team was heterogeneous, with members from different countries and backgrounds.
The team included people from various nationalities and experiences, making it diverse.
formal
Consisting of diverse elements or types; not uniform in composition.
A heterogeneous mixture of gases was used in the experiment.
The gases in the experiment were not uniform; they varied in type.
The population of the city is heterogeneous, with people from many ethnic groups.
The city's residents come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Often used in scientific, technical, or sociological contexts to describe diversity in composition or origin.
Collocations
heterogeneous mixturea combination of different substancesheterogeneous societya community with diverse cultural or ethnic groupsheterogeneous groupa team or collection with varied members
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'homogeneous'
Remember that 'heterogeneous' means diverse or mixed, while 'homogeneous' means uniform or consistent. The prefixes 'hetero-' (different) and 'homo-' (same) are opposites.
Gold Rule
Use 'heterogeneous' for diversity in composition
Apply this word when describing mixtures, groups, or systems that contain varied elements. For example, 'a heterogeneous sample' or 'a heterogeneous team'.
Word Origin
From Latin *heterogeneus*, from Greek *heterogenes*, from *heteros* (other, different) + *genos* (kind, type). The prefix *hetero-* means 'different' and *-geneous* relates to 'kind' or 'type'.
Usage Notes
Used in formal contexts to describe diversity in composition or origin. Avoid using it to describe people's personalities or behaviors unless referring to their backgrounds or characteristics.
Word Breakdown
hetero-
different
prefix-geneous
kind or type
suffixEnglish Dictionary