: 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)
The word analogue entered English from French in the 19th century and ultimately traces back to the Greek word logos, meaning "ratio." (The word analogy, which has been a part of English since the 15th century, also descends from logos.) The noun analogue is sometimes spelled analog, particularly when it refers to a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but slightly different in composition. Adding to the confusion, there is also an adjective spelled analog, which came into use in the 20th century. The adjective can refer to something that is analogous (as in an analog organ), but it is most often used to distinguish analog electronics from digital electronics (as in an analog computer or an analog clock).
Example Sentences
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
Mercedes put a great deal of effort into developing an electric analogue to its S-class sedan.Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Later, the masking tape comes off, the edges become free-form and the paintings go from digital to analogue. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 Irvin Cartagena, 39, Hector Robles, 57, Luis Cruz, 56, and Carlos Macci, 70, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin. Glenn Garner, PEOPLE.com, 2 Feb. 2022 Energiewende are eerie and portend grave risk, particularly as China threatens its own Ukraine analogue, Taiwan. Jordan Mcgillis, National Review, 10 Mar. 2022 The early Cold War found its domestic analogue in McCarthyism, a term that both illuminates and obscures the political dynamics of the Truman years. Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2022 Some scientists even argue that most of today’s most severe heat waves have no historical analogue from two centuries ago, before humans started heating the planet by pumping heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere.New York Times, 21 May 2022 The evil-Superman-style character Homelander is becoming more and more of a direct Trump analogue this season. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2022 The closest recent open-world analogue to Elden Ring's sales is Cyberpunk 2077, which managed a whopping 13.7 million sales in its first 21 days despite launch issues that forced delistings and a widespread return program. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 16 Mar. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
borrowed from French, borrowed from Greek análogon "proportion, correspondence," noun derivative from neuter of análogos "proportionate, analogous"