analogous
What does "analogous" mean?
The word "analogous" describes things that are similar in function or structure, even if they are fundamentally different in nature. Imagine comparing the wings of a bird to the wings of an airplane; they both serve the purpose of flight, but their makeup and origins are entirely distinct. It is primarily used in formal, academic, or technical contexts to draw parallels between two concepts. You will often see it followed by the preposition "to," as in "A is analogous to B," which signals that you are highlighting a functional correspondence rather than a direct identity.
"analogous" in conversation
Discussing office software
Is this new app similar to the one we used last year?
Is this new app similar to the one we used last year?
It's analogous to our old system, but much faster.
It's analogous to our old system, but much faster.
Used to compare the function of two different software tools.
Biology class
How would you describe the eye of a human and an octopus?
How would you describe the eye of a human and an octopus?
They are analogous structures since they both facilitate vision.
They are analogous structures since they both facilitate vision.
Commonly used in scientific contexts to describe convergent evolution.
"analogous" in a sentence
The human brain is often compared to an analogous computer system.
The human brain is often compared to an analogous computer system.
The political situation today is analogous to the events of the late 1930s.
The political situation today is analogous to the events of the late 1930s.
Finding a solution to this problem is analogous to untangling a complex web of interconnected threads.
Finding a solution to this problem is analogous to untangling a complex web of interconnected threads.
