diversity

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.

“Diversity” is pronounced deye-VUR-sih-tee (/daɪˈvɜː(ɹ)sɪti/ in IPA).

Here is “diversity” used in a sentence: “The rainforest is famous for the sheer diversity of its plant and animal life.”

“Diversity” is a noun.

The word “diversity” comes from Latin. From Old French diversité, from Latin dīversitās, built on diverse plus -ity.

“Diversity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Diversity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of containing many different types or forms.

"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.

"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.

"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.

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.