Diversity means variety or difference. When something has diversity, it includes many different types, forms, or examples rather than being all the same.

A forest with diversity might contain oak trees, pine trees, maples, birches, and dozens of other species, along with various ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. A classroom library with diversity offers mysteries, adventures, biographies, poetry, science books, and historical fiction, giving every reader something they'll enjoy. Scientists studying biodiversity examine the incredible variety of living things in an ecosystem, from tiny insects to massive trees.

The word also describes human differences. A diverse school might include students from many cultural backgrounds, students who speak different languages at home, students with different abilities and interests, and families with different traditions and beliefs. Diversity in this sense means recognizing that people come with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of seeing the world.

The opposite of diversity is uniformity or sameness. A forest with only pine trees lacks diversity. A bookshelf with only one type of book lacks diversity.

The related word diverse works as an adjective: “The museum hosted a diverse group of visitors” or “She has diverse interests, from robotics to classical music to rock climbing.”