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heterology

noun

A lack of correspondence between biomolecules or body parts (e.g., proteins, tissues, bones, limbs) that reflects a difference in origin.

“The words ultrashort and onomatopoeia display heterology: ultrashort might be called short but is not an ultrashort word, and onomatopoeia is not an onomatopoeic word.”

Opposite

homology autology

Scrabble 17

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Meanings

nounheterology (countable and uncountable, plural heterologies)

plural heterologies

countableuncountablebiologyA lack of correspondence between biomolecules or body parts (e.g., proteins, tissues, bones, limbs) that reflects a difference in origin.
Antonyms: homology
countableuncountablegrammarThe property of a word or phrase that does not describe itself.
The words ultrashort and onomatopoeia display heterology: ultrashort might be called short but is not an ultrashort word, and onomatopoeia is not an onomatopoeic word.
Antonyms: autology

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA lack of correspondence between biomolecules or body parts (e.g., proteins, tissues, bones, limbs) that reflects a difference in origin.

Opposite

nounThe property of a word or phrase that does not describe itself.

Opposite

Origin

From hetero- + -logy.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with heterology

Anagrams

Cite this entry

APA

heterology. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heterology

MLA

“heterology.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heterology. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “heterology,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heterology.

Source: heterology on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.