heterogeneous

adjective

het·​ero·​ge·​neous ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈjēn-yəs 

ˌhe-trə-,

-ˈjē-nē-əs

: consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents : mixed

an ethnically heterogeneous population

heterogeneously adverb

heterogeneousness noun

Synonyms

• assorted
• eclectic
• indiscriminate
• kitchen-sink
• magpie
• miscellaneous
• mixed
• motley
• patchwork
• piebald
• promiscuous
• raggle-taggle
• ragtag
• varied

Examples of heterogeneous in a Sentence

the seating in the hall was a heterogeneous collection of old school desk chairs, wood and metal folding chairs, and even a few plush theater seats

Recent Examples on the Web

Well, communities themselves tend to be more homogenous than heterogeneous. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Understanding these dynamics can inform international efforts to promote human rights and foster intercommunal solidarity in heterogeneous societies. —Türkay Salim Nefes, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2024

Conclusion In conclusion, the seamless integration of 6G, quantum connectivity, high-performance interconnects, heterogeneous computing and edge-cloud convergence is pivotal for enabling the next generation of use cases. —Manish Rajendran, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

The more cosmopolitan and heterogeneous way of life chosen by the millions of Jews in the United States, Canada, and France is the result of a choice, not proof of tolerance. —John R. MacArthur, Harper's Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin heterogeneus (borrowed from Greek heterogenḗs "of different kinds," from hetero- hetero- + -genēs, adjective derivative of génos "ancestry, race, class, kind") + -ous — more at kin entry 1

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heterogeneous

adjective

het·​er·​o·​ge·​neous

ˌhet-ə-rə-ˈjē-nē-əs,

-nyəs

: differing in kind : consisting of dissimilar parts : mixed

a heterogeneous population

heterogeneously adverb

heterogeneousness noun

Medical Definition

heterogeneous

adjective

het·​ero·​ge·​neous ˌhet-ə-rə-ˈjē-nē-əs, ˌhe-trə-, -nyəs 

: not uniform in structure or composition

tumors which have a heterogeneous composition by reason of structure and presence of necrosis

—Year Book of Endocrinology

heterogeneously adverb