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hetero

1

[ het-uh-roh ]

adjective

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


noun

, plural het·er·os.
  1. Informal. a heterosexual person.

hetero-

2
  1. a combining form meaning “different,” “other,” used in the formation of compound words:

    heterocyclic.

hetero

1

/ ˈhɛtərəʊ /

noun

  1. short for heterosexual
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


hetero-

2

combining_form

  1. other, another, or different Compare homo-

    heterophony

    heterosexual

    heterodyne

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hetero–

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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of hetero1

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

Origin of hetero2

Combining form of Greek héteros the other of two, other, different
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hetero1

from Greek heteros other
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Example Sentences

In the last decade I’ve befriended hetero and queer women, gay men and non-binary folks.

When she and her husband go out with another hetero couple she’ll shake the male partner’s hand rather than offering a hug, and she’s always careful to greet the woman first.

Schussel is proof that hetero opposite sex relationships are possible, but she has boundaries too.

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.

Now that space is allowed for more than two gender expressions, “hetero” and “cishet” are shorthand for a “cisgender/heterosexual” couple or individual.

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heterarchyheteroaromatic