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diverse

adjective di·verse \ dī-ˈvərs , də-ˈ , ˈdī-ˌ \
|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

  5. His message appealed to a diverse audience.

  6. a diverse group of subjects

Recent Examples of diverse from the Web

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

diverse Synonyms

Synonyms

different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike;

Antonyms

alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel, same, similar;

Near Antonyms

equal, selfsame;

equivalent, tantamount;

akin, analogous, comparable, homological, homologous, related;

homogeneous, homogenous, uniform;

Related Words

divers, miscellaneous, mixed, several, sundry, variant, varied, various;

differentiable, discriminable;

alternate, alternative, individual, particular, peculiar, single;

disproportionate, divergent, unequal;

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

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

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

Learn More about diverse

  1. See words that rhyme with diverse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for diverse Spanish Central: Translation of diverse Nglish: Translation of diverse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of diverse for Arabic speakers

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