hetero

Hetero is an informal shorthand for heterosexual, describing a person whose primary sexual and romantic attractions are to people of the opposite sex or gender. In academic and clinical contexts, the full term heterosexual is preferred for precision, while hetero is common in casual speech, online discourse, and some sociological writing. The term sits within the broader taxonomy of sexual orientations, alongside homosexual, bisexual, and asexual identities. The opposite of heterosexual is homosexual, though many people describe their identities along a broader spectrum of orientations.

The word hetero- derives from Greek heteros, meaning "other" or "different," and in English it is also used as a prefix in scientific terms unrelated to sexual orientation, such as heterozygous, heterogeneous, heterotroph, and heterodox. The sexual-orientation usage shares the same root but is separate from its use as a prefix in other domains.

Historically, heterosexuality has been the predominant model in many societies, shaping social norms and institutions. In contemporary discourse, there is greater visibility and recognition of diverse orientations, including heterosexuality as one among several valid identities. Some contexts encourage more inclusive or descriptive language rather than labeling people by orientation alone.

In sum, "hetero" functions as a colloquial shorthand for heterosexual or as a productive stem meaning "different" in various scientific terms; its acceptability depends on context and audience.