diversity

noun

di·​ver·​si·​ty də-ˈvər-sə-tē 

dī-

plural diversities

1

a

: the quality or condition of having or being composed of differing elements (such as forms, types, or ideas) : variety sense 1

linguistic diversity

an island with great diversity in plant life

There's a diversity of opinion on the matter.

b

: a group or collection of differing elements : variety sense 2

She has a diversity of interests.

saw a diversity of shorebirds at the park

2

: the state or practice of including people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a), cultures, etc. in a group or organization

promoting diversity in the workplace

—often used before another noun

diversity programs/efforts

a diversity committee

see also diversity, equity and inclusion

Synonyms of diversity

• variety
• diverseness
• heterogeneity
• multiplicity

Examples of diversity in a Sentence

Another factor in Burns' rise has been the strength and depth of Xerox's commitment to diversity. One-third of Xerox's 3,819 executives are women and 22% are minorities. —Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009

Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years. —Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur, October 2009

Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would have made it immune to facile interpretation. —David Gilmour, New York Review, 2 Nov. 2006

The media flood the nation's editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds, and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not one visible to the naked eye. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 2005

The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling the fins and scales of other fish. —Science, 26 Nov. 2004

The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.

The city is known for its cultural diversity.

The school aims for diversity in its student population.

Recent Examples on the Web

That leaves out information about thousands of students in American schools, although many schools do not track or report gender diversity data. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Carr has been investigating diversity practices at Comcast since February 2025 and not ruled out subjecting its NBC licenses to an early review. — Reuters, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Those early years of looking after my mother gave me an appreciation for human needs and family diversity. — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Mendocino and Lake counties have more diversity of elk and deer. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dyversite "difference, separateness, variety," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French diverseté, diversité, borrowed from Latin dīversitāt-, dīversitās "separateness, condition of being different, difference of opinion," from dīversus "turned in different directions, situated apart, differing" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at diverse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diversity

• diversity, equity, and inclusion

Rhymes for diversity

• adversity
• perversity
• biodiversity
• polydispersity
• university

Kids Definition

diversity

noun

di·​ver·​si·​ty də-ˈvər-sət-ē 

dī-

plural diversities

1

: the condition of being different

2

: an instance or a point of difference

Legal Definition

diversity

noun

di·​ver·​si·​ty də-ˈvər-sə-tē, dī- 

: diversity of citizenship