analogue

1 of 2

noun

an·​a·​logue ˈa-nə-ˌlȯg 

-ˌläg

variants or analog

1

: something that is similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail : something that is analogous to something else

historical analogues to the current situation

an aspirin analogue

2

: an organ or part similar in function to an organ or part of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin

The gill of a fish is the analogue of the lung of a cat.

3

usually analog : a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different element or in the presence of a particular functional group)

4

: a food product made by combining a less expensive food (such as soybeans or whitefish) with additives to give the appearance and taste of a more expensive food (such as beef or crab)

analogue

2 of 2

an·​a·​logue

chiefly British spelling of analog

Did you know?

Analogue is a handy word for something that is similar to something else in design, origin, use, etc., as in “tofu is a meat analogue.” Like its relations analogy and analogous, it traces back ultimately to the Greek word lógos, meaning “word,” “speech,” “relation,” “correspondence,” and “proportion.” Not to get too meta about analogue, but the nouns analogue and analog are themselves analogues (or, ahem, analogs) of one another: they differ only in spelling, though the analogue spelling is more common except in contexts related to chemistry. The pair also function as adjectives—as in “an analog watch” or “analog recording”—but in that case the shorter form is preferred except by those who use British English.

Examples of analogue in a Sentence

Noun

a modern analog to what happened before

the synthetic analog of a chemical found in a tropical tree

a meat analogue such as tofu

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One prominent interior element from the Navigator did not find an analogue in the design of the home: its giant LCD instrument panel, which literally spans the width of the dashboard from one end of the cabin to the other. —Brett Berk, Architectural Digest, 16 Aug. 2024

Flashback: There is a useful historical analogue to the situation. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024

The attack, dystopian in its style and scale, blindsided the group that had opted for analogue technologies after forgoing cell phones to avoid Israeli infiltration. —Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024

During the Eocene epoch (roughly 33.9 million to 56 million years ago), oceans also warmed, and it’s often used as an analogue for what’s happening today. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, borrowed from Greek análogon "proportion, correspondence," noun derivative from neuter of análogos "proportionate, analogous"

First Known Use

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

analogue

noun

an·​a·​logue

variants or analog

ˈan-ᵊl-ˌȯg,

-ˌäg

1

: something that is analogous to something else

2

: an organ or part similar in function to an organ or part of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin

3

: of or relating to an analog computer

4

: being a clock or watch that has hour and minute hands

Medical Definition

analogue

noun

an·​a·​logue

variants or analog

ˈan-ᵊl-ˌȯg, -ˌäg 

1

: something that is analogous or similar to something else

2

: an organ similar in function to an organ of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin

3

usually analog : a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different element or in the presence of a particular functional group)