analogous

adjective anal·o·gous \ə-ˈna-lə-gəs\

: similar in some way

Full Definition of ANALOGOUS

: showing an analogy or a likeness that permits one to draw an analogy

: being or related to as an analogue

— anal·o·gous·ly adverb

— anal·o·gous·ness noun

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Examples of ANALOGOUS

… gluons, force particles analogous to the photons of electromagnetism. —Andrew Watson, Science, 22 Jan. 1999
… great stretches of algae, analogous to terrestrial woodlands, in which kelp fills the role of trees. —William K. Stevens, New York Times, 5 Jan. 1999
… not by means superior to, though analogous with, human reason … —Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, 1859
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Origin of ANALOGOUS

Latin analogus, from Greek analogos, literally, proportionate, from ana- + logos reason, ratio, from legein to gather, speak — more at legend

First Known Use: 1646

Related to ANALOGOUS

Synonyms: akin, alike, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto, like, matching, parallel, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike

Antonyms: different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike

Synonym Discussion of ANALOGOUS

similar, analogous, parallel mean closely resembling each other. similar implies the possibility of being mistaken for each other <all the houses in the development are similar>. analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities <analogous political systems>. parallel suggests a marked likeness in the development of two things <the parallel careers of two movie stars>.

ANALOGOUSNESS Defined for Kids