analogous
Americanadjective
-
having analogy; corresponding in some particular.
A brain and a computer are analogous.
- Synonyms:
- akin, comparable, like, alike, similar
- Antonyms:
- dissimilar
-
Biology. corresponding in function, but not evolved from corresponding organs, as the wings of a bee and those of a hummingbird.
adjective
-
similar or corresponding in some respect
-
biology (of organs and parts) having the same function but different evolutionary origin Compare homologous
the paddle of a whale and the fin of a fish are analogous
-
linguistics formed by analogy
an analogous plural
-
Similar in function but having different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.
-
Similar in chemical properties and differing in chemical structure only with respect to one element or group.
Usage
The use of with after analogous should be avoided: swimming has no event that is analogous to (not with ) the 100 metres in athletics
Other Word Forms
- analogously adverb
- analogousness noun
- nonanalogous adjective
- nonanalogously adverb
- nonanalogousness noun
- unanalogous adjective
- unanalogously adverb
- unanalogousness noun
Etymology
Origin of analogous
First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin analogus, from Greek análogos “proportionate,” equivalent to ana- ana- + lógos “ratio”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Light drifts in a quantized manner, following universal steps analogous to those seen with electrons under strong magnetic fields," said Philippe St-Jean, a physics professor at Université de Montréal and co author of the study.
From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026
“We probably haven’t seen an analogous period of time like this since 1945,” Strazik said.
From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026
“I think that, ultimately, the question about Kevin being at the Fed or not will be an analogous decision. Is the best place for me at NEC or at the Fed?”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025
“By contrast, the present case does not involve any analogous creative product or expressive association,” Guerrero wrote, concluding that the California law is instead regulating people’s conduct.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2025
The men’s admissions pattern was analogous to Gehrig’s hitting pattern—coming to bat more often during the second half of the season when getting a hit is easier.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
