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.
“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?”
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.
“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
They show that structures analogous to the superior colliculus -- found in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals -- share a common purpose: merging sensory and motor information to guide gaze and attention.
From Science Daily
A few of these reports have included amusing “to be sure” paragraphs, to use trade lingo: brief acknowledgments of some contrary argument or analogous trend.
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.
