Analogous
/əˈnæl.ə.gəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Analogous describes things that are alike or comparable in certain important ways, especially when they perform similar roles or have similar relationships. It is often used to explain how two different things can be understood by comparing their similar parts or functions.
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See It in Action
Having similarity in function or purpose but different origin or form
- •The wings of a bird and the wings of a butterfly are analogous structures.
- •Analogous reasoning helps solve problems by comparing them to similar situations.
- •The human eye is analogous to a camera because both focus images.
Comparable in certain respects, allowing understanding by analogy
- •His role in the company is analogous to that of a coach on a sports team.
- •The relationship between teacher and student is analogous to that of a guide and traveler.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "analogous" like "similar," but it focuses on how things work or relate, not just how they look
- ✓Picture two different tools that do the same job, like a pencil and a paintbrush—they are different but analogous because both help create art
- ✓It's the feeling when you understand something new by thinking about something you already know that is alike in some way
- ✓Sounds like "a-NAL-uh-gus" → imagine two animals, like a bird and a bat, both flying but very different creatures (analogous wings)
- ✓Think of stories where two characters have similar roles even if they live in different worlds—this is an analogy, and "analogous" describes that similarity
- ✓NOT like "identical" (exactly the same), analogous means similar but not the same
- ✓NOT like "different"—analogous points out important similarities despite differences
- ✓NOT like "synonym" (words with same meaning), analogous is about things or ideas with similar roles or functions
Try Other Words
- •Comparable: able to be compared because of shared features (Use when you want to say two things can be judged as alike in some way)
- •Parallel: having a similar course or development (Use when emphasizing two things happening in a similar way or time)
- •Equivalent: equal in value or meaning (Use when two things have the same importance or effect)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "ana-" (up, back, again) + root "log" (from Greek "logos," meaning word, reason) + suffix "-ous" (full of, having qualities of)
- •Etymology: From Greek "analogos," meaning proportionate or corresponding
- •Historical development: Used since the 17th century to describe things that have a proportionate or corresponding relationship
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in science, logic, and everyday speech to explain how different things can be compared because of similar functions or relationships
Reflect & Connect
•How can thinking about something as analogous help you understand new or difficult ideas?
•Can two things be analogous in one way but very different in another? How does that affect our understanding?
Fill in the blanks
1.The wings of a bird and the wings of a bat are ___ because they serve the same purpose but come from different ancestors.
2.When explaining a new concept, teachers often use examples that are ___ to things students already know.
3.Although the two machines look different, their parts are ___ in how they work.
4.The role of a captain on a ship is ___ to that of a conductor in an orchestra, both leading a group.
5.Scientists study ___ structures to understand how different animals have similar functions.
6.You can find ___ relationships between different languages by comparing their grammar rules.
7.The two companies have ___ business models, even though they operate in different industries.