rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryheterogeneousVaried composition
adjective

heterogeneous

het-er-uh-JEE-nee-uhs/ˌhetərəˈdʒiːniəs/

Made up of parts that differ in kind or character.

The bowl holds a heterogeneous collection of pebbles, wooden cubes, marbles, and shells.

One shallow bowl containing a visibly mixed collection of pebbles, wooden cubes, glass marbles, and seashells, showing a single collection made up of different kinds of elements.
Etymology
heteroGreekdifferent
+geneousGreekkind, stock

The roots express “different kinds.” Applied to a mixture or collection, the word describes elements that differ in kind or nature rather than forming one uniform whole.

In context

Luke Ford Livestreams82:41
psychology, like philosophy, is a remarkably heterogeneous field. So, sweeping verdicts on the discipline of psychology are unlikely to accurately reflect what different subfields are accomplishing
Integrated: Living Beyond the Sex Trade (7-20-21)

More examples

  • The committee is a heterogeneous group of scientists, artists, and business owners.
  • Granite is heterogeneous, containing several different minerals.
  • The study draws on heterogeneous data, including interviews and medical records.

Forms

heterogeneous

heterogeneity noun — The state of containing different kinds of parts.

Similar words

diverse
Emphasizes variety rather than differences within a single whole.
mixed
Describes different types combined, without necessarily emphasizing their differences.
varied
Highlights noticeable differences without necessarily describing a collection's makeup.