Word: analogous (adjective)

Associations

"Analogous" means similar or comparable in some way, often used to show that two things share a likeness even if they are not exactly the same.

• In science: "The human brain is analogous to a computer." This means the brain and computer work in similar ways.
• In everyday life: "Her situation is analogous to mine." This means her situation is similar to yours.
• In literature: "The story is analogous to a classic myth." This means the story shares important features with the myth. Synonym: similar. The difference is that "analogous" often implies a comparison based on function or role, not just appearance. "Similar" is more general.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• comparable (means you can compare two things because they are alike in some way)
• similar (means almost the same or alike)
• parallel (means showing a close similarity, often used in formal or academic contexts) Changing the word can make the sentence more or less formal or precise.

Deconstruction

"Analogous" comes from the root "analogy," which means a comparison between two things to explain or clarify.

• Prefix: "ana-" means "up," "back," or "again" in Greek.
• Root: "log" comes from Greek "logos," meaning "word," "reason," or "speech."
• Suffix: "-ous" means "full of" or "having the quality of." Together, "analogous" means "having the quality of analogy" or "showing similarity."

Inquiry

• Can you think of two things in your life that are analogous? Why do you think they are similar?
• How is "analogous" different from just saying "the same"?
• Can you use "analogous" to explain a concept you find difficult by comparing it to something easier?