English Explanatory Dictionary

it takes all kinds to make a world

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.

Pronunciation

En-au-it takes all kinds to make a world.ogg

Word forms

it takes all kinds to make a world it takes all kinds it takes all sorts it takes all sorts to make a world it takes all types it takes all types to make a world

Etymology

Calque of Spanish de todos ha de haber en el mundo (“There must be of all [types] in the world”), Miguel de Cervantes, El ingenioso caballero Don Quijote de la Mancha, Capítulo VI, 1615 (Don Quixote, Volume 2, Chapter VI); translated 1620, Shelton, as "In the world there must surely be of all sorts." and appeared in various forms thereafter.

Related words

different strokes for different folks horses for courses variety is the spice of life vive la différence
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