Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Differing one from another.
  • adjective Made up of distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements.
  • adjective Relating to or containing people from different ethnicities and social backgrounds.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In different directions.
  • Different in kind; essentially different; different as individuals of one kind or as different kinds, but not as being affected by different accidents. Thus, Philip drunk and Philip sober, though different, are not diverse.
  • Capable of assuming many forms; various; multiform.
  • Synonyms Divers, Diverse. See divers.
  • To make diverse; diversify.
  • To differ; be diverse.
  • To turn aside; turn out of one's way.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • intransitive verb obsolete To turn aside.
  • adverb In different directions; diversely.
  • adjective Different; unlike; dissimilar; distinct; separate.
  • adjective Capable of various forms; multiform.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective consisting of many different elements; various
  • adjective different; unlike; dissimilar; distinct; separate.
  • adverb In different directions; diversely.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective distinctly dissimilar or unlike
  • adjective many and different

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English divers, from Old French divers, from Latin dīversus, past participle of dīvertere, to divert; see divert.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin diversus ("various, different"), also written divorsus, past participle of divertere, divortere ("to turn or go different ways, part, separate, divert"); see divert.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word diverse.

Examples

  • "Brazil quickly rose to the top" in the search for new markets, Direct Edge Chief Executive William O'Brien said in an interview, citing what he called a "diverse and sophisticated customer base" and a "world-class capital market" as among the country's lures.

    Direct Edge to Launch Operation in Brazil Brendan Conway 2011

  • The document also focuses on how China is increasingly confronted by a range of what it calls "diverse and complex" security challenges.

    Analysts: China Defense White Paper Avoids Controversial Topics 2011

  • GRISWOLD: ... and the overwhelming reality of the Episcopal Church is what I call the diverse center.

    CNN Transcript Jun 15, 2006 2006

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles 2008

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles 2008

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles 2008

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles 2008

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles 2008

  • Callahan said he knows it is important for him to put aside some of his personal viewpoints when it comes to representing what he called a diverse party.

    Columbia Missourian: Latest Articles Juana Summers and Rebecca Beitsch 2008

  • The nearly-hysterical reporter's assumption is that Switzerland must take in a few million immigrants so it will become "diverse," and thus no longer so irritatingly diverse from the rest of Europe.

    Anti-Teutonism is the anti-Semitism of the elite Steve Sailer 2002

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • I found this word in the surfer mag. The apponents at the comp. was diverse. by Nathen Falls

    October 28, 2010