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I am trying to find a single word for the phrase "of varying heights", as in "vegetation of varying heights". All I can think of is "multiheighted" (which evidently isn't a word), or "heterogeneous" (which doesn't refer specifically to height). Any ideas?

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    Since you've tagged this as a single word request, you should include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used.
    – KillingTime
    Commented Apr 27, 2022 at 8:43
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    There are various terms like assorted and variegated which can mean of different sizes, or varying in other ways, but I'm not aware of any that only refer to height.
    – Stuart F
    Commented Apr 27, 2022 at 10:59
  • @Stuart F A good use of a response-in-a-comment: something that might help OP, but is far from specific enough to constitute a serious answer on a site aimed at linguists.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Apr 27, 2022 at 11:31
  • I left an answer specific to "vegetation" below. However, "uneven" growth might suffice (though it is not plant specific)
    – user22542
    Commented Apr 27, 2022 at 18:24
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    Please add a sample sentence with a space for the required word; only one of the two answers posted so far is a direct (and hence relevant) answer. Workarounds need discounting clearly.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 10:22

2 Answers 2

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The most basic word I can think of is "multileveled", but this may or may not work well depending on the context is and what your needs are.

Are you trying to be more concise to make a shorter sentence? Are you trying to find something more poetic, aureate or even Sesquipedalian? Or are you looking for more of a technical, jargonistic word?

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I think you could effectively use "understories" (or singular - understory) to suggest "vegetation of varying height".

The sparse vegetation thickened gradually into multiple understories beneath the canopy overhead.

TFD - understory/understories

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  • That only works if they is a canopy overhead, and ‘multiple understories’ is ambiguous, it could be taken to mean multiple discrete areas of under storey vegetation which might share a height.
    – Spagirl
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 12:46
  • Perhaps the word "multiple" is unnecessary or redundant. The word "understories" can be used literally, suggestively, or figuratively - all to the desired effect of the author. On second thought, I think I should have suggested "stratified" - which is a much better answer to the question.
    – user22542
    Commented Jun 27, 2022 at 20:31

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