Meaning & use
diverse
Last updated
UK/daɪˈvɜːs/
US/dɪˈvɜːrs/
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Showing many different kinds of people, things, ideas, or features within a group or whole.
Grammar: Describes a collection, not one single item; say a diverse team, not a diverse employee.
Patterns
- a diverse group
- diverse range of something
- culturally diverse
The class read diverse authors from several continents.
A diverse range of snacks kept everyone happy.
Common combinations
- diverse group
- A diverse group solved the puzzle faster.
- diverse range
- The store stocks a diverse range of teas.
- culturally diverse
- The festival reflects a culturally diverse city.
- diverse workforce
- A diverse workforce brings varied experience.
Synonyms and how they differ
- varied
- Varied simply means containing differences; diverse often suggests inclusive variety across people or categories.
- heterogeneous
- Heterogeneous is formal and technical for mixed composition; diverse is everyday and often positive.
- assorted
- Assorted means of several kinds, often without emphasis on inclusion or balance.
Opposites
Word family
- diversity noun
- The condition of having many different kinds.
- diversify verb
- To make or become more varied.
- diversification noun
- The process of spreading across varied areas.
Commonly confused: diverse or adverse?
diverse vs adverse
Adverse means harmful or unfavorable; diverse means varied.
Practice
Which sentence uses diverse correctly?
Choose one answer.
Diverse describes variety within a collection, such as a mix of members. One book cannot be diverse, adverse means unfavorable, and salt is one item.
Make it your own
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