Definition of Heterogeneous
Quick Meaning of Heterogeneous
Made up of many different kinds of things. The parts are not all the same; they differ from each other.
Detailed Definition of Heterogeneous
Composed of different or diverse elements; not uniform in composition; consisting of dissimilar parts.
How to Pronounce Heterogeneous
Stress pattern: ooooOo (6-syllable word).
Tip: Stress the third syllable: het-er-uh-JEE-nee-us. Say it: /ˌhetərəˈdʒiːniəs/. The 'g' sounds like 'j' in 'judge'.
Watch out: The 'g' is often mispronounced as hard 'g' (like in 'go'), but should sound like 'j'. Also, stress the third or fourth syllable correctly.
Origin and Etymology of Heterogeneous
From Greek 'heterogenēs'. 'Hetero-' means 'different' + 'genos' means 'kind/type'. Entered English in 17th century from scientific Latin.
How to Use Heterogeneous in a Sentence
Each example shows “heterogeneous” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Modern cities have heterogeneous populations with people from many different cultures.”
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“The research included heterogeneous groups differing in age, education, and income.”
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“Oil and water form a heterogeneous mixture because they don't blend uniformly.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Heterogeneous
Common Synonyms for Heterogeneous
Smart Synonyms for Heterogeneous — When to Use Each
- diverse
- More general; emphasizes variety and difference
- varied
- Simpler, more colloquial alternative to heterogeneous
- miscellaneous
- Less formal; suggests random assortment of different things
Antonyms of Heterogeneous
Common Collocations with Heterogeneous
These phrases pair with “heterogeneous” in everyday English:
- heterogeneous mixture
- heterogeneous population
- heterogeneous group
- heterogeneous sample
- heterogeneous composition
Common Mistakes When Using Heterogeneous
Even fluent speakers slip up with “heterogeneous”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: The mixture is heterogeneous and completely uniform.
- ✓ Correct: The mixture is heterogeneous and shows visible differences. / The mixture is homogeneous and uniform.
- Why: Heterogeneous means diverse/varied, not uniform. These terms are opposites.
- ✗ Wrong: A heterogeneous sample was selected from one specific region.
- ✓ Correct: A heterogeneous sample was selected from multiple diverse regions.
- Why: Heterogeneous samples should include different types and categories, not just one source.
- ✗ Wrong: The team was homogeneous because it included people with different perspectives.
- ✓ Correct: The team was heterogeneous because it included people with different perspectives.
- Why: Different perspectives = diverse = heterogeneous, not homogeneous.
Words Confused With Heterogeneous
- Heterogeneous vs Homogeneous: Opposite meaning: homogeneous = same throughout; heterogeneous = diverse/different
Other Forms of Heterogeneous
- Noun: heterogeneity
- Adjective: heterogeneous
- Adverb: heterogeneously
Frequently Asked Questions About Heterogeneous
What is the meaning of "Heterogeneous"?
Made up of many different kinds of things. The parts are not all the same; they differ from each other.
How do you pronounce "Heterogeneous"?
The IPA is /ˌhetərəˈdʒiːniəs/. Stress the third syllable: het-er-uh-JEE-nee-us. Say it: /ˌhetərəˈdʒiːniəs/. The 'g' sounds like 'j' in 'judge'.
What part of speech is "Heterogeneous"?
"Heterogeneous" is an adjective at C1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Heterogeneous"?
Common synonyms include diverse, varied, mixed.
How do you use "Heterogeneous" in a sentence?
For example: "Modern cities have heterogeneous populations with people from many different cultures."