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  

combining form

1. other, another, or different Compare homo-

   heterodyne

   heterophony

   heterosexual

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hetero ² British  

/ ˈhɛtərəʊ /

noun

1. short for 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; -o

Origin of hetero-²

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

Example Sentences

While the story detailed a regular instance of hetero dating, ordinary enough for thousands to make theirs, Roupenian’s home as a writer is horror.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2023

The world of Navy SEALs is a very hetero male world.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2022

There’s something radical about placing the hetero cis male in the lived experience of a teenage girl.”

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2022

Being raised in a society without men, her outlook was not been formed on the binary or even hetero.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2022

I really feel for this kid and the tough road he may have ahead of him if he likes anyone who isn’t a hetero girl.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera