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• hetero
  hetero

  adjective

  of or relating to an atom other than carbon, particularly in a cyclic compound.
• hetero-
  hetero-

  a combining form meaning “different,” “other,” used in the formation of compound words.
• hetero–
  hetero–

  A prefix that means “different” or “other,” as in heterophyllous, having different kinds of leaves.

hetero

¹ American  

[het-uh-roh] / ˈhɛt əˌroʊ /

adjective

1. Chemistry. of or relating to an atom other than carbon, particularly in a cyclic compound.

2. Informal. heterosexual.

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noun

plural

heteros

1. Informal. a heterosexual person.

hetero- ² American  

especially before a vowel, heter-.

1. a combining form meaning “different,” “other,” used in the formation of compound words.

   heterocyclic.

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hetero ¹ British  

/ ˈhɛtərəʊ /

noun

1. short for heterosexual

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hetero- ² British  

combining form

1. other, another, or different Compare homo-

   heterodyne

   heterophony

   heterosexual

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hetero– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means “different” or “other,” as in heterophyllous, having different kinds of leaves.

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Etymology

Origin of hetero¹

First recorded in 1930–35 hetero for def. 2; hetero def. 1 by shortening of heteroatom; hetero defs. 2, 3 by shortening of heterosexual; see -o

Origin of hetero-²

Combining form of Greek héteros the other of two, other, different

Example Sentences

Max’s villainous nature hides behind performative ally-ship — he starts a school club called the Cis Hetero Men Championing Female Identifying Students League — and faux feminist gestures.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2022

The other licensed company, Hetero, in early July announced interim data from its own late-stage trial of generic molnupiravir in mild COVID-19 patients and submitted an application to regulators for its emergency use.

From Reuters • Oct. 8, 2021

How about that gay people don’t exclusively read gay-themed publications, any more than I subscribe to Hetero White Lady Monthly?

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2016

No Hetero Hanne Blank’s lively history of straights.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2012

Generic drugmakers, like India's Cipla Ltd. and Hetero Drugs, have already offered three-drug combos for $350 to $600 a year per patient, 40% less than the best prices offered in developing countries by Western firms.

From Time Magazine Archive