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diverse
/daɪˈvɜːrs/
varied in type
The city has a diverse population with people from many different cultures.
The city's residents come from many different backgrounds, showing variety.
formal
Showing a great deal of variety; very different.
The school offers a diverse range of courses in arts and sciences.
Students can choose from many different subjects across disciplines.
A diverse ecosystem supports many types of plants and animals.
The environment has a wide variety of species living together.
Often used to describe groups, collections, or environments with many distinct elements.
Collocations
diverse groupa collection of people or things with many differencesdiverse rangea wide variety of optionsdiverse backgroundpeople from different cultural or social origins
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'diverse'
While 'diverse' is useful, it can sound vague. Specify what is diverse (e.g., 'diverse talents' instead of just 'diverse').
Gold Rule
Use 'diverse' for contrast
'Diverse' implies meaningful differences, not just random variety. For example, 'a diverse menu' suggests different cuisines, not just many dishes.
Word Origin
From Latin *diversus* ‘turned different ways’, past participle of *divertere* ‘to turn aside’ (from *di-* ‘apart’ + *vertere* ‘to turn’).
Usage Notes
Commonly used to emphasize differences within a group or collection. Often appears in academic, social, and scientific contexts.
Word Breakdown
di-
apart
prefix-verse
turned
rootEnglish Dictionary