analogous

American  

[uh-nal-uh-guhs] / əˈnæl ə gəs /

adjective

1. having analogy; corresponding in some particular.

   A brain and a computer are analogous.

   Synonyms:

   akin, comparable, like, alike, similar

   Antonyms:

   dissimilar

2. Biology. corresponding in function, but not evolved from corresponding organs, as the wings of a bee and those of a hummingbird.

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analogous British  

/ əˈnæləɡəs /

adjective

1. similar or corresponding in some respect

2. 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

3. linguistics formed by analogy

   an analogous plural

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analogous Scientific  

/ ə-năl′ə-gəs /

1. Similar in function but having different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.

2. Similar in chemical properties and differing in chemical structure only with respect to one element or group.

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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”

Explanation

Use the adjective analogous to describe something that is similar to something else and can be compared to another. Analogous things can be compared to each other, so a near synonym is the adjective comparable. Analogous is a term used in biology to refer to body parts that have a similar function but differ in structure, such as the wings of a bird and the wings of an airplane. Analogous is from Latin analogus, from Greek analogos, meaning "according to a proper ratio or proportion."

Example Sentences

"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

This would be analogous to having one arm tied behind your back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2026

Something analogous happens in James Fox’s “Craftland,” which is devoted to the many traditional trades and occupations that have long created the material civilization of Britain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

He wrote in one of his secret notebooks “Children have an uncommon pleasure in hiding themselves & skulking about in shrubbery. When other people are about: this is analogous to young pigs hiding themselves.”

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• akin
• comparable
• corresponding
• related