Word
heterogeneous
Phoneticshet·ero·ge·neous
US/ˌhɛtɝəˈdʒinjəs/
UK/hɛtɹˈəʊdʒənˌiəs/
Definitions
01diverse in kind
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. consisting of many different types of people or things that are not the same.
adj. consisting of diverse or dissimilar constituents; not uniform in character or content.
Español:heterogéneo
“The city has a very heterogeneous population with people from all over the world.”
“The study focused on a heterogeneous group of participants to ensure the findings were applicable across different social classes and age brackets.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Antonyms
02mixed phases of matter
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describing a mixture where you can see different parts, like oil and water, or solids and liquids mixed together.
adj. consisting of different phases, such as solid, liquid, or gas, or containing substances in different states that do not form a uniform solution.
“Granite is a heterogeneous rock because you can see the different minerals inside it.”
“In a heterogeneous catalyst system, the catalyst is in a different phase—usually solid—than the reactants, which are typically liquids or gases.”
Usage
Commonly used in chemistry and geology to describe mixtures that are not solutions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03computing/networks
C1 · Advanced Computing Technical
adj. a computer network that uses different types of hardware, software, or operating systems together.
adj. relating to a network or system comprising different types of equipment, protocols, or operating systems.
“The company uses a heterogeneous network that connects both Windows and Mac computers.”
“Managing a heterogeneous computing environment requires specialized software to ensure seamless communication between different hardware architectures.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The method is applicable to a wide range of heterogeneous materials—from ceramics and metal ceramics to nanostructured composites.” “Nevertheless, the authors emphasize that the current evidence base remains heterogeneous and predominantly preclinical, making further rigorous investigation essential before pomegranate-derived products can be confidently recommended for routine veterinary use.” “Particularly in the case of heterogeneous tissue samples or clinical datasets, where biological groups cannot always be defined in advance, the method can help uncover previously hidden biological relationships.” Etymology
From Medieval Latin heterogeneus, from Ancient Greek ἑτερογενής (heterogenḗs, “of different kinds”), from ἕτερος (héteros, “other, another, different”) + γένος (génos, “kind”). Compare hetero- and -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/heterogeneous
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0