diversity
deye-VUR-sih-tee
Diversity (noun) means the quality of containing many different types or forms. Example: “A garden with great diversity of flowers attracts many kinds of bees.”
noun
1
The quality of containing many different types or forms.
"A garden with great diversity of flowers attracts many kinds of bees."
"The rainforest is famous for the sheer diversity of its plant and animal life."
"There's great diversity of opinion within the committee."
2
The presence and fair inclusion of people from different backgrounds, such as race, gender, or culture, within a group.
"The school promotes diversity by welcoming students from many cultures."
"Our team values diversity and wants everyone to feel included."
"The company launched a diversity programme to widen its hiring pool."
How to use diversity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVariety — either in the general sense of many different kinds, or specifically people from different backgrounds being represented and included.
Common pairings
cultural diversity
diversity of opinion
promote diversity
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Word forms
- Plural
- diversities
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A garden with great _____ of flowers attracts many kinds of bees.
Etymology
From Old French diversité, from Latin dīversitās, built on diverse plus -ity.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for diversity
See all rhymes for diversity →Frequently asked questions
What does “diversity” mean?
The word “diversity” means the quality of containing many different types or forms. In plain terms, variety — either in the general sense of many different kinds, or specifically people from different backgrounds being represented and included.
How do you pronounce “diversity”?
“Diversity” is pronounced deye-VUR-sih-tee (/daɪˈvɜː(ɹ)sɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “diversity” in a sentence?
Here is “diversity” used in a sentence: “The rainforest is famous for the sheer diversity of its plant and animal life.”
What part of speech is “diversity”?
“Diversity” is a noun.
Where does the word “diversity” come from?
The word “diversity” comes from Latin. From Old French diversité, from Latin dīversitās, built on diverse plus -ity.
Is “diversity” a common word?
“Diversity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “diversity” have?
“Diversity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of containing many different types or forms.
What is the difference between "diversity" and "variety"?
"Variety" simply means having many different kinds of something. "Diversity" also means this, but especially in social contexts it stresses the presence and fair inclusion of people from a range of backgrounds, such as race, gender, or culture.
What is the difference between "diversity" and "inclusion"?
"Diversity" is the presence of people from different backgrounds within a group, while "inclusion" is the practice of making all those people feel welcomed, valued, and able to participate fully. A group can be diverse without being inclusive.
What is the difference between "diversity" and "biodiversity"?
"Diversity" is the general quality of containing many different types or forms, and can apply to ideas, people, or things. "Biodiversity" refers specifically to the variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole.
What is the opposite of "diversity"?
The opposite of "diversity" is "uniformity" or "homogeneity," meaning that the members or elements are all alike rather than varied. A uniform group lacks the range of types that diversity describes.
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