analogue
gb/ˈænəlˌɔɡ/ us/ˈænəlˌɔɡ/
B2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
entity
1
thing comparable to another thing
A thing that is very similar to another thing and has almost the same job or use, often in a different time, place, or situation.
Usage pattern:
an analogue of/to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "analogue" with "analogy". "Analogue" is the similar thing itself, while an "analogy" is a way of explaining something by comparing it to something else. Learners also forget the usual pattern and say *"analogue for"* instead of the more natural "analogue of" or "analogue to".
Synonyms
equivalent (Often suggests something that is almost the same in value, amount, or effect, sometimes closer than a loose analogue.)
|
counterpart (Usually refers to a person or official position that matches another, rather than any kind of thing.)
|
parallel (More often used for similar situations or developments, and can sound more figurative.)
Antonyms
opposite (Describes something that is as different as possible in quality, direction, or effect, rather than similar.)
Collocations
modern analogue
|close analogue
|direct analogue
|natural analogue
|an analogue of
|an analogue to
Themes
comparison
|science
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- Streaming services are often seen as the modern analogue of traditional television.
- Scientists are searching for an Earth-like analogue on other planets.
- The company is developing a cheaper analogue of the original drug.
- Her role in the new team is the closest analogue to a project manager.
- Ancient board games can be viewed as early analogues of today’s video games.
Learner examples
- This small town is an analogue of my hometown in many ways.
- The film is an analogue of the director’s own life story.
- Many people see email as an analogue of traditional letters.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
2
chemically similar compound
A chemical that has almost the same structure as another chemical and often acts in a similar way in the body.
Usage pattern:
an analogue of [a compound/drug]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this technical sense is the same as the general "similar thing" sense, but in chemistry an analogue must be structurally similar at the molecular level. Also, spelling often confuses learners: "analogue" (BrE) vs "analog" (AmE).
Synonyms
derivative (Focuses on the compound being made from or based on another; does not always imply such close structural similarity.)
|
homolog (A technical term for a member of a series of related compounds, often differing by a repeating unit, not just any similar compound.)
Antonyms
unrelated compound (Emphasizes that the chemical has no significant structural or functional similarity to the reference compound.)
Collocations
drug analogue
|synthetic analogue
|structural analogue
|hormone analogue
|vitamin analogue
|an analogue of morphine
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
Examples
- Researchers tested a new analogue of insulin that works more quickly.
- This drug is a safer analogue of morphine with fewer side effects.
- The team designed several analogues of the original molecule to improve its stability.
- Vitamin D analogues are used to treat certain skin conditions.
- The study compared the activity of natural hormones and their synthetic analogues.
Learner examples
- The company made an analogue of the old drug.
- Scientists often create analogues of natural chemicals.
- This medicine is an analogue of a hormone in the body.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
non-digital continuous signal system
A way of storing or sending information where the signal changes smoothly, not in clear step-by-step numbers like digital systems.
Usage pattern:
[something] is in analogue / move from analogue to digital
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "analogue" here when they mean "analogous" (similar) or "analogy" (comparison). In technology, "analogue" contrasts specifically with "digital" and refers to the type of signal or system.
Synonyms
non-digital system (Less precise and more general; simply states that it is not digital, without specifying continuous representation.)
Antonyms
digital (Digital systems use discrete numeric values (often binary) rather than continuously varying signals.)
Collocations
analogue signal
|analogue recording
|analogue television
|analogue transmission
|analogue format
|from analogue to digital
Themes
technology
|electronics
|science
Examples
- All national TV broadcasts were switched from analogue to digital in the early 2000s.
- Some musicians still prefer recording in analogue for its warm sound.
- The old phone network used analogue, but modern systems are almost entirely digital.
- The device can process both analogue and digital signals.
- Collectors value original albums that were mastered in analogue.
Learner examples
- The old TV signal was analogue, not digital.
- Some people like music on analogue because it sounds warm.
- The country moved from analogue to digital radio.
adjective
technical
B2
property
4
using continuous, non-digital signals
Describes a device or signal that changes smoothly and is not digital, like a clock with hands or an old TV signal.
Usage pattern:
an analogue [device/signal/system]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"analogical clock"* instead of "analogue clock" or use "analogy" when they mean "analogue". Also, in American English the spelling is usually "analog", while British English often uses "analogue".
Synonyms
non-digital (Very general; simply means not digital and can be used beyond technical contexts.)
Antonyms
digital (Refers to devices and signals based on discrete numeric values; often contrasts directly with "analogue" in consumer products.)
Collocations
analogue clock
|analogue watch
|analogue signal
|analogue device
|analogue radio
|analogue camera
Themes
technology
|daily_life
|science
Examples
- I still prefer an analogue watch because I can read it at a glance.
- The studio keeps several analogue tape machines for special recording projects.
- Many children have trouble reading analogue clocks because they only know digital ones.
- The engineer checked the analogue signal before it was converted to digital.
- Some gamers like the feel of analogue controls on older consoles.
Learner examples
- She wears an analogue watch, not a digital one.
- There is an analogue clock on the classroom wall.
- This old radio is analogue and uses a dial to find stations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
analogue
IPA
GB/ˈænəlˌɔɡ/
US/ˈænəlˌɔɡ/
Syllables & stress
ana - logue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ana)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: analogue
- Plural: analogues
Word family
Expressions
analogue clock
1/ˈænəlˌɔɡ klˈɑk/
fixed phrase
clock with hands and dial
A clock that shows time with moving hands on a round face, not with numbers on a digital screen.
Examples
- Children often find it harder to read an analogue clock than a digital one.
- There is a large analogue clock above the entrance to the station.
- The school replaced the broken analogue clock in the classroom.
analogue signal
1/ˈænəlˌɔɡ sˈɪɡnəl/
fixed phrase
technical
continuously varying signal
A type of electrical or radio signal that changes smoothly, not in clear steps like a digital signal.
Examples
- The microphone converts sound into an analogue signal.
- The analogue signal is then converted to digital for processing.
- Older television systems used an analogue signal that was more affected by noise.
analogue watch
1/ˈænəlˌɔɡ wˈɔt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
watch with hands and dial
A watch that shows the time with small hands that move around a face with numbers or marks, not with digital numbers.
Examples
- He wears a classic analogue watch with a leather strap.
- Many smartwatches can display a digital or analogue watch face.
- She prefers an analogue watch because she thinks it looks more elegant.
from analogue to digital
1/fɹˈʌm ˈænəlˌɔɡ tə dˈɪd͡ʒɪtəl/
fixed phrase
change analogue system to digital
Used when something like TV, radio, or sound recording changes from an analogue system to a digital system.
Examples
- Many countries have already moved from analogue to digital television.
- The music industry changed quickly from analogue to digital recording.
- The phone network is gradually shifting from analogue to digital.