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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing analogous
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "A"
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"Democracy in America, Vol. 1" by Alexis de Tocqueville, Introduction–Chapter 5
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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.
Federal courts have recently confronted the limits of analogous industry-led regulators, but the issue remains unsettled.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Instead, she made an argument that was analogous to the VMI plaintiffs’.
From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026
"We cannot conclude that they are analogous to human names both because animals signals are often so different and because we don't understand the full intent behind the signals."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 14, 2026
“We probably haven’t seen an analogous period of time like this since 1945,” Strazik said.
From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026
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
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.
