heterogeneous

/hɛɾəroʊˈdʒiniɪs/

/hɛtərəʊˈdʒiniɪs/

Other forms: heterogeneously

Heterogeneous can be used to describe the diversity of nearly anything — populations, classrooms, collections. A heterogeneous array of immigrants passed through Ellis Island to help create the American "melting pot."

An easy way to remember the meaning of this word is that homo is the same and hetero is different. So, a homogeneous group of puppies might consist of apricot-colored poodles, while a heterogeneous group might consist of a hodgepodge of different pups ranging from dachshunds to dalmatians. Anytime you are confronted with a group whose members are not all similar to one another, you have an opportunity to trot out heterogeneous.

Definitions of heterogeneous

1. adjective

   consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
   “the population of the United States is vast and heterogeneous”

   synonyms: heterogenous, hybrid

   diversified

   having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety

   assorted, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, sundry

   consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

   disparate

   including markedly dissimilar elements

   inhomogeneous, nonuniform

   not homogeneous

   different

   unlike in nature, quality, form, or degree

   varied

   characterized by variety

   antonyms:

   homogeneous

   all of the same or similar kind or nature

   undiversified

   not diversified

   consistent, uniform

   the same throughout in structure or composition

   solid

   of one substance or character throughout

   self-colored, self-coloured, solid

   of the same color throughout

   homogenised, homogenized

   made homogeneous

   uniform, unvarying

   always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

   same

   closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree
2. adjective

   originating outside the body
   synonyms: heterogenous