'heterodont' originates from Greek elements 'hetero-' meaning 'different' and 'odont-' meaning 'tooth', combined in scientific formation.

'heterodont' was formed in New Latin/modern scientific usage (19th century) from Greek roots: 'hetero-' + the Greek stem 'odont-' (from ὀδούς, odous, 'tooth'), producing terms such as 'heterodontus' in taxonomic descriptions and later the English 'heterodont'.

Initially coined to describe 'different-toothed' structure, its meaning has remained focused on possessing teeth of different shapes, especially in zoological and paleontological contexts.