diverse

play

adjective di·verse \dī-ˈvərs, də-ˈ, ˈdī-ˌ\

Definition of diverse

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

See diverse defined for English-language learners

See diverse defined for kids

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 of diverse from the Web

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) is a Major League Baseball initiative designed to provide young people from underserved and diverse communities the opportunity to play baseball and softball.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Busy times for Miami 12-year-old during MLB All-Star Week Miami", 6 July 2017
Like in years past, the new lineup offers a diverse mix — from Wynonna (July 4) and Tony Bennett (July 12) to Dr. John (July 27) and Angélique Kidjo (Aug. 13).

— michael james rocha, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Bayside Summer Nights launches new season with 'Star Spangled Pops'", 27 June 2017
Our journalists coach people to share entertaining, illuminating stories for diverse audiences.

— The Courier-Journal, "If you've never been to Storytellers, here's a deal for you", 25 June 2017
At the time, Washington boasted one of the NFL’s most diverse locker rooms.

— robert klemko, The MMQB, "What Happened To Washington's Ray McDonald?", 23 June 2017
Washington (AP) -- The United States is growing older and more ethnically diverse, a trend that could put strains on government programs from Medicare to education, the Census Bureau reported Thursday.

— Bloomberg.com, "Every Ethnic, Racial Group Grew in the U.S., While Whites Slowest", 22 June 2017
Chicago is home to scores of world-class sculptures sitting in parks throughout the city, and nowhere offers a more diverse collection than the lakefront.

— james steinbauer, chicagotribune.com, "Along Chicago's Lakefront Trail, an open-air museum", 22 June 2017
Shotgun Whiskey is performing country music on June 30 at 5 p.m. On the musical lineup on July 1 will be the diverse rock of Nawty at 5 p.m., followed by Animation, a Rush tribute, at 8:30 p.m.

— bob kostanczuk, Post-Tribune, "Cedar Lake Summerfest keeps the party going June 30-July 4", 21 June 2017
Barbie had a similar makeover more than a year ago, both part of the toy company’s plan to make its dolls more diverse and appealing to today’s kids.

— joseph pisani, The Seattle Times, "Barbie’s companion Ken gets new looks: Man bun, beefy bod", 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diverse'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of diverse

Middle English divers, diverse, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French divers, from Latin diversus, from past participle of divertere —see divert

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

DIVERSE Defined for English Language Learners

diverse

play

adjective

Definition of diverse for English Language Learners

: different from each other
: made up of people or things that are different from each other

DIVERSE Defined for Kids

diverse

play

adjective di·verse \dī-ˈvərs, də-\

Definition of diverse for Students

1 : different from each other : unlike She met people with diverse interests.
2 : made up of people or things that are different from each other Her speech was heard by a diverse audience.

Law Dictionary

diverse

adjective di·verse

Legal Definition of diverse

: 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