diverse

adjective

di·​verse dī-ˈvərs 

də-ˈvərs, 

ˈdī-ˌvərs

1

: differing from one another : unlike

people with diverse interests

2

: composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities

a diverse population

diversely adverb

diverseness noun

Synonyms of diverse

• different
• distinctive
• distinct
• varied

Choose the Right Synonym for diverse

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of diverse in a Sentence

We can adapt to new problems in ways that other species cannot. It is this ability that enabled our ancestors to spread over the globe, displacing other hominids and many other species along the way. Our cultures and individual behaviors are so successfully diverse that humans are more like an entire ecosystem than a single species. —Barbara Oakley, Evil Genes, (2007) 2008

Since the methods and policies of the Spaniards on the edges of empire varied over time and place, and the indigenous tribes and peoples with whom they came into contact were almost endlessly diverse, Weber was faced with the daunting challenge of writing a book that was at the same time comprehensive and comprehensible. —J. H. Elliott, New York Review of Books, 23 Feb. 2006

The place is packed at both lunch and dinner. The crowd, always a diverse blend of athletes and fans, cops and criminals, showbiz and fashion, appears as heterogeneous as ever. —Eric Asimov, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2003

Many students, from campuses diverse as Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, had classmates sign cards pledging to vote for "books, not bombs." —Liza Featherstone, Nation, 4/11 Aug. 2003

His message appealed to a diverse audience.

a diverse group of subjects

Recent Examples on the Web

Those running for the board have diverse backgrounds and varying ideas, but also near-unanimous agreement that district leaders need to do more to meet the basic needs of students struggling to pursue their higher education goals. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Michigan’s diverse electorate has created a complicated political battleground, with both nominees seeking statewide support while navigating divisions among the state’s large Jewish, Muslim and Black communities. — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Still, the state has shattered early voting records with a more diverse electorate and stronger turnout in left-leaning jurisdictions. — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026

For most companies, broadening lender bases is a test-the-pipes exercise to ensure that diverse funding is available if it’s needed. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English divers, diverse "differing, distinct, of various kinds, several," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French divers, diverse, deverce, borrowed from Latin dīversus "turned in different directions, situated apart, differing," from past participle of dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" — more at divert

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diverse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

diverse

adjective

di·​verse dī-ˈvərs 

də-, 

ˈdī-ˌvərs

1

: differing from one another : unlike

2

: composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities

a diverse population

diversely adverb

diverseness noun

Legal Definition

diverse

adjective

di·​verse

: differing from one another

specifically : differing in citizenship from another party to an action

a diverse defendant

see also diversity jurisdiction at jurisdiction compare nondiverse