What is Diversity?

di·ver·si·ty

noun

/də-ˈvər-sə-tē, dī-/ or /daɪˈvɜːsɪtɪ/

 

Definition of Diversity

the state or quality of being different or varied

: the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.

: the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization

 

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect.
It means understanding that each individual is unique,
and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along
the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs,
political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration
of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.
It is about understanding each other and moving beyond
simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the
rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

1
: the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization 2
: an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities : an instance of being diverse

See diversity defined for English-language learners »
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Examples of DIVERSITY

The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Another factor in Burns’ rise has been the strength and depth of Xerox’s commitment to diversity. One-third of Xerox’s 3,819 executives are women and 22% are minorities. —Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009
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Related to DIVERSITY

Synonyms
assortment, diverseness, variety, heterogeneity, heterogeneousness, manifoldness, miscellaneousness, multifariousness, multiplicity, variousness

Antonyms
alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity

Word Origin and History for diversity
(see diverse)
First Known Use: 14th century
n.

mid-14c., “quality of being diverse,” mostly in a neutral sense, from Old French diversité (12c.) “difference, diversity, unique feature, oddness:” also “wickedness, perversity,” from Latin diversitatem (nominative diversitas) “contrariety, contradiction, disagreement;” also, as a secondary sense, “difference, diversity,” from diversus “turned different ways” (in Late Latin “various”), past participle of divertere (see divert ).