Standard Lemma guide

hetero

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ˈhɛ.tɚ.oʊ/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɛt.(ə).ɹoʊ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with (Received Pronunciation) -ɛtɹəʊ

1

adj

Meaning 1

Heterosexual: of, pertaining to, or being a heterosexual person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • This novel depicts a hetero couple who are in love.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A heterosexual person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Clipped from heterosexual.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: hetero — heterosexual person
  • Dutch: heteroseksueel — heterosexual person
  • Finnish: hetero — heterosexual person
  • French: hétéro — heterosexual person
  • German: Hetero — heterosexual person
  • German: Hetera — heterosexual person
  • Portuguese: hétero — heterosexual person