Heterogeneous

/ˌhɛtərəˈdʒiniəs/ adjective

Definition

Diverse in character or content; composed of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents. The opposite of homogeneous.

Etymology

From Greek heteros 'other, different' + genos 'kind, race.' Entered English via Medieval Latin heterogeneus in the 17th century, originally used in natural philosophy and chemistry.

Kelly Says

This word perfectly captures the beautiful complexity of diversity - whether in a classroom of students from different backgrounds or a mixture of chemical compounds, heterogeneity often creates stronger, more interesting results than uniformity. The Greek roots literally mean 'different kinds.'

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.