Heterogeneous
/ˌhɛtərəˈdʒiːniəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Heterogeneous means a group or mixture that has many different parts or elements. These parts are not all alike; they vary in kind, type, or nature. It is often used to describe collections, groups, or mixtures where the components are not the same.
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See It in Action
Made up of different kinds or types
- •The population in the city is very heterogeneous with many cultures.
- •The soil sample was heterogeneous, containing sand, clay, and small rocks.
- •The team is heterogeneous, including people with different skills and experiences.
In science or medicine, referring to mixtures or groups with diverse elements
- •A heterogeneous mixture in chemistry is one where you can see the different parts.
- •The tumor was heterogeneous, meaning it had different types of cells.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'heterogeneous' like 'different,' but for groups or mixtures, meaning many kinds together, not just one kind
- ✓Picture a bowl of mixed fruit with apples, bananas, and grapes—all different types in one bowl
- ✓It's the feeling when you meet people from many countries in one room—everyone is different and unique
- ✓Sounds like 'hetero-GEN-ee-us' → imagine a group (gen) made of many (hetero) different things mixed together
- ✓Think of a classroom with students of many ages and backgrounds, not all the same
- ✓NOT like 'homogeneous' (which means all the same), heterogeneous means variety and difference inside one thing
- ✓NOT like 'uniform' (which means identical or matching), heterogeneous is mixed and varied
- ✓NOT like 'simple' or 'pure,' heterogeneous means complex and mixed
Try Other Words
- •Diverse: showing variety or many different types (Use when focusing on variety among people or ideas)
- •Varied: having many different kinds or forms (Use when emphasizing many types within one group)
- •Mixed: containing different things together (Use in everyday language for simple mixtures)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'hetero-' (different, other) + 'geneous' (from Greek 'genos' meaning kind or type)
- •Etymology: From Greek 'heteros' meaning different + 'genos' meaning kind or race
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 1600s to describe things made of different kinds or types
- •Modern usage: Used in science, medicine, social sciences, and everyday language to describe mixtures or groups with diverse parts
Reflect & Connect
•How can understanding the concept of heterogeneous help you describe groups or mixtures in your daily life?
•Can something be both heterogeneous and organized at the same time? How would that look?
Fill in the blanks
1.A heterogeneous group ___ many different kinds of people from various countries.
2.When a mixture is heterogeneous, you can often ___ the different parts with your eyes.
3.Unlike homogeneous mixtures, heterogeneous mixtures do not have a ___ appearance.
4.The classroom was heterogeneous because students had ___ backgrounds and ages.
5.Scientists study heterogeneous materials to understand how the ___ parts interact.
6.You use the word heterogeneous when you want to emphasize ___ inside a group or mixture.
7.The salad was heterogeneous, containing lettuce, tomatoes, and ___ vegetables.