diversity

American  

[dih-vur-si-tee, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜr sɪ ti, daɪ- /

noun

diversities plural

1. the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness.

   diversity of opinion.

   Antonyms:

   similarity, sameness, resemblance

2. variety; multiformity.

   Synonyms:

   multiplicity, heterogeneity, assortment, variation, dissimilarity, disagreement, contrast

   Antonyms:

   homogeneity

3. 1. the spectrum of individual differences and the corresponding group memberships and identities that human beings have in society.

      A functioning multicultural society celebrates the diversity of its people, but diversity can also be problematic for the maintenance of a cohesive national identity.

   2. the inclusion of individuals representing more than one national origin, color, religion, socioeconomic stratum, sexual orientation, etc..

      an initiative to increase diversity in the workplace.

4. a point of difference.

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diversity British  

/ daɪˈvɜːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being different or varied

2. a point of difference

3. logic the relation that holds between two entities when and only when they are not identical; the property of being numerically distinct

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• diversities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of diversity

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English diversite, from Anglo-French, from Latin dīversitās; see diverse, -ity

Explanation

When there's diversity, there's variety. Often, this word is used for diversity of race, class, or gender. To have diversity, you need a mix of whatever you're talking about. If you like science fiction, romantic comedies, cartoons, and action movies, then you like a diversity of types of films. If you like nothing but kung fu films, then you don't like a diversity of films. No matter what kind of diversity you're talking about, there needs to be a real mix, kind of like a huge box of Crayolas.

Example Sentences

There are creedal Americans, cultural Americans, Americans who embrace the country’s diversity and complexity, and Americans who reject it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026

"I have come to reaffirm France's commitment to the Syrian people. To a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbours," Macron, who will leave on Tuesday, announced on X.

From Barron's • Jul. 6, 2026

A good life looks many different ways to the many different people who make up America, and the question of whether or not to have a child is one approached with just as much diversity.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2026

And I think that’s incredibly powerful to see that and to see a nation cheering and getting behind that diversity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2026

But a second mechanism of generating genetic diversity exists: genetic information can be swapped between chromosomes.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• diversification