Meaning & use
heterogenous
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Meanings
adjectivecomparabletechnical
Made up of parts that are different in kind; not uniform.
Grammar: Before a noun or after be: a heterogenous group.
The class was a heterogenous mix of ages and backgrounds.
Scientists studied a heterogenous sample of soil.
The city has a heterogenous population.
adjectivebefore a nounbiologyspecialist
In biology, originating outside the body or from a different species.
Grammar: Rare, specialist use before a noun.
The heterogenous graft came from another species.
Word forms
| comparative | more heterogenous |
|---|---|
| superlative | most heterogenous |
Common combinations
- heterogenous group
- They taught a heterogenous group of learners.
- heterogenous mixture
- Granite is a heterogenous mixture of minerals.
- heterogenous population
- The island has a heterogenous population.
- highly heterogenous
- The data set is highly heterogenous.
Synonyms and how they differ
- diverse
- Is the everyday word and often carries a positive tone.
- varied
- Is plainer and stresses variety within one thing.
- mixed
- Is informal and less precise.
- assorted
- Suggests a casual selection of different kinds.
Opposites
Word family
- heterogeneous adjective
- the standard fuller spelling
- heterogeneity noun
- the quality of being varied in kind
Commonly confused: heterogenous or homogenous?
heterogenous vs homogenous
Homogenous means alike in kind, the opposite of heterogenous.
Practice
Which group is most heterogenous?
Choose one answer.
Heterogenous means made of different kinds. Only the crowd is varied.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “heterogenous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.