analogous
gb/ənˈæləɡəs/ us/ənˈæləɡəs/
C1
English
~ 9000
analóg
C1
FORMAL
1
analóg
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] is analogous to [something]
The human brain is often said to be analogous to a computer in the way it processes information.
Az emberi agyról gyakran azt mondják, hogy az információ feldolgozásának módját tekintve analóg a számítógéppel.
Their current crisis is analogous to the one they faced ten years ago, so they can learn from past mistakes.
A jelenlegi válságuk analóg azzal, amellyel tíz évvel ezelőtt szembesültek, ezért tanulhatnak a múltbeli hibákból.
In this model, income is analogous to water flowing into a tank, and spending is the water flowing out.
Learner examples
This problem is analogous to the one we solved last week.
Ez a probléma analóg azzal, amelyet múlt héten megoldottunk.
The way a battery works is analogous to how a water pump works.
Az akkumulátor működése analóg a vízszivattyú működésével.
They see the company as analogous to a family, with the manager as a parent.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"analogous with"* instead of *"analogous to"*. The usual preposition is *to*: "This system is analogous to that one." Another confusion is between *analogous* (adjective) and *analogy* (noun). Use *analogous* before a noun or after *be*: "an analogous situation", "it is analogous to X"; use *analogy* as a noun: "draw an analogy between X and Y."
Meaning
similar in important ways
Collocations
analogous to
|closely analogous
|roughly analogous
|analogous situation
|analogous case
|analogous example
Synonyms
comparable (More common and slightly less formal; often used in everyday speech as well as writing.)
|
similar (Very general word; does not itself suggest a careful or structured comparison the way "analogous" often does.)
Antonyms
different (General opposite, focusing on lack of similarity.)
|
distinct (Stresses clear separation or lack of meaningful similarity between things.)
Themes
science
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Similar in a way that helps you compare two things.
Similar in one or more important ways, so that a comparison between things is meaningful or helpful.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
analóg
C2
Usage pattern:
[structure] is analogous to [structure]
The wings of birds and the wings of butterflies are analogous structures that evolved independently.
A madarak szárnyai és a lepkék szárnyai analóg struktúrák, amelyek egymástól függetlenül fejlődtek ki.
Shark fins and dolphin flippers are analogous rather than homologous, because they do not share the same evolutionary origin.
A cápák uszonyai és a delfinek uszonyai analóg, nem pedig homológ képletek, mert nem azonos evolúciós eredetűek.
The camera eye of an octopus is analogous to the human eye, even though their anatomy developed separately.
Learner examples
The wings of bats and insects are analogous, not homologous.
A denevérek és a rovarok szárnyai analógok, nem homológok.
A dolphin’s fin is analogous to a fish’s fin because they have the same function.
A delfin uszonya analóg a hal uszonyával, mert ugyanaz a funkciója.
In your exam, you must explain why these two bones are analogous structures.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *analogous* with *homologous*. *Analogous* focuses on similar function with different evolutionary origins, while *homologous* means a shared origin even if the function is now different.
Meaning
biological structures with similar function
Collocations
analogous structures
|analogous organs
|functionally analogous
|analogous features
Synonyms
functionally similar (Plain description used in explanations; does not carry the specific evolutionary meaning that "analogous" has in biology.)
Antonyms
homologous (Biology term for structures with a shared evolutionary origin, the technical contrast to "analogous" in this sense.)
Themes
science
|biology
Definition
In biology, used for body parts in different animals that do the same job but did not come from the same original structure.
In biology, describing body parts or structures in different species that have a similar function but evolved from different origins.
Grammar
Dictionary form
analogous
IPA
GB/ənˈæləɡəs/
US/ənˈæləɡəs/
Syllables & stress
ana - log - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (log)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: analogous
Word family
Expressions
be analogous to
1/bˈi ənˈæləɡəs tə/
fixed phrase
formal
to be usefully similar to
To be similar to something in an important way, so that you can compare them.
Examples
- The role of the project manager is analogous to that of a coach on a sports team.
- In this equation, pressure is analogous to force.
closely analogous to
1/klˈoʊsli ənˈæləɡəs tə/
fixed phrase
formal
very similar in key respects
Used when two things are very similar in important ways, so you can compare them in detail.
Examples
- Their new policy is closely analogous to the system already used in Canada.
- The two legal cases are closely analogous to each other.
loosely analogous to
1/lˈusli ənˈæləɡəs tə/
fixed phrase
formal
only roughly similar, not exact
Used when two things are somewhat similar, but the comparison is not exact.
Examples
- The ranking system is loosely analogous to a school grading system.
- Her job is loosely analogous to that of a consultant.