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hetero

[ het-uh-roh ]
/ ˈhɛt əˌroʊ /
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adjective
Chemistry. of or relating to an atom other than carbon, particularly in a cyclic compound.
Informal. heterosexual.
noun, plural het·er·os.
Informal. a heterosexual person.
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Origin of hetero

1930–35 for def. 2; (in def. 1) by shortening of heteroatom; (in def. 2) by shortening of heterosexual; see -o

Other definitions for hetero (2 of 2)

hetero-

a combining form meaning “different,” “other,” used in the formation of compound words: heterocyclic.
Also especially before a vowel, heter-.

Origin of hetero-

Combining form of Greek héteros the other of two, other, different
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hetero in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hetero (1 of 2)

hetero
/ (ˈhɛtərəʊ) informal /

noun, adjective plural -os
short for heterosexual

British Dictionary definitions for hetero (2 of 2)

hetero-

combining form
other, another, or differentheterodyne; heterophony; heterosexual Compare homo-

Word Origin for hetero-

from Greek heteros other
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for hetero

hetero-

A prefix that means “different” or “other,” as in heterophyllous, having different kinds of leaves.
The American HeritageŸ Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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