analogous
gb/ənˈæləɡəs/ us/ənˈæləɡəs/
C1
Inglés
~ 9000
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
similar in important ways
Similar in a way that helps you compare two things.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is analogous to [something]
Error frecuente:
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."
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
different (General opposite, focusing on lack of similarity.)
|
distinct (Stresses clear separation or lack of meaningful similarity between things.)
Colocaciones
analogous to
|closely analogous
|roughly analogous
|analogous situation
|analogous case
|analogous example
Temas
science
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The human brain is often said to be analogous to a computer in the way it processes information.
- Their current crisis is analogous to the one they faced ten years ago, so they can learn from past mistakes.
- In this model, income is analogous to water flowing into a tank, and spending is the water flowing out.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This problem is analogous to the one we solved last week.
- The way a battery works is analogous to how a water pump works.
- They see the company as analogous to a family, with the manager as a parent.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
biological structures with similar function
In biology, used for body parts in different animals that do the same job but did not come from the same original structure.
Patrón de uso:
[structure] is analogous to [structure]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
functionally similar (Plain description used in explanations; does not carry the specific evolutionary meaning that "analogous" has in biology.)
Antónimos
homologous (Biology term for structures with a shared evolutionary origin, the technical contrast to "analogous" in this sense.)
Colocaciones
analogous structures
|analogous organs
|functionally analogous
|analogous features
Temas
science
|biology
Ejemplos
- The wings of birds and the wings of butterflies are analogous structures that evolved independently.
- Shark fins and dolphin flippers are analogous rather than homologous, because they do not share the same evolutionary origin.
- The camera eye of an octopus is analogous to the human eye, even though their anatomy developed separately.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The wings of bats and insects are analogous, not homologous.
- A dolphin’s fin is analogous to a fish’s fin because they have the same function.
- In your exam, you must explain why these two bones are analogous structures.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
analogous
AFI
GB/ənˈæləɡəs/
US/ənˈæləɡəs/
Sílabas y acento
ana - log - ous (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (log)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: analogous
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- The ranking system is loosely analogous to a school grading system.
- Her job is loosely analogous to that of a consultant.