# heterogeneous

/ˌhɛtɝəˈdʒinjəs/ (US) · /hɛtɹˈəʊdʒənˌiəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heterogeneous
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. diverse in kind

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

consisting of many different types of people or things that are not the same.

For teachers: consisting of diverse or dissimilar constituents; not uniform in character or content.

- 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.

### 2. mixed phases of matter

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a mixture where you can see different parts, like oil and water, or solids and liquids mixed together.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. computing/networks

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a computer network that uses different types of hardware, software, or operating systems together.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The city has a heterogeneous population with people from all over the world.
- The research team analyzed a heterogeneous sample of data collected from twelve different countries and various age groups.
- In a heterogeneous mixture, the individual components remain physically separate and can often be distinguished by sight, unlike the uniform appearance of a homogeneous solution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.