English Reference

Word

homogenous

Phoneticsho·moge·nous

US/həˈmɑdʒənəs/

UK/həmˈɒdʒənəs/

Definition

adj. made of parts that are all the same or very similar. In biology, it describes a group of living things that have the same basic features and can usually have babies together.

adj. consisting of parts or elements that are uniform in nature or structure. In a biological context, it describes a population or species that is genetically uniform or capable of interbreeding.

Examples

“The two species are very homogenous.”

“The biologist noted that the homogenous population lacked the genetic diversity needed to survive a sudden change in the environment.”

“While the initial sample appeared homogenous under the microscope, further genetic testing revealed subtle variations that suggested a more complex evolutionary history than previously assumed.”

Examples

simple

“The two species are very homogenous.”

contextual

“The biologist noted that the homogenous population lacked the genetic diversity needed to survive a sudden change in the environment.”

complex

“While the initial sample appeared homogenous under the microscope, further genetic testing revealed subtle variations that suggested a more complex evolutionary history than previously assumed.”

Real-World Examples

“The Secretary-General stresses that survivors are not a homogenous group, and that effective responses must reflect differences in age, gender, circumstances and individual needs, rather than assume one experience of violence.”
UN News · 22 Aug 2026
“Political discourse is reduced to opinions at once homogenous and balkanized , reinforced by the echo chambers of the day’s regnant algorithms .”
The Conversation · 24 Aug 2026

Etymology

From homo- + gene + -ous.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Collocations

homogenous group

Word family

homogeneousAdjectivehomogenousAdjective

Domain

Biology

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/homogenous

English Reference