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analogous

Adjective

This term describes a relationship of similarity based on function or logic rather than identity or shared origin. It is frequently used in academic, scientific, and legal contexts to draw a parallel between two different things to explain a complex concept or to justify a comparison. In biology, the word carries a precise technical meaning to distinguish structures that perform the same job but evolved independently, contrasting with homologous structures which share a common ancestor. This distinction makes the word more precise than simple synonyms like similar or comparable.

Meanings

Adjective

[~ to something]

Comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of the things compared.

"The wings of a bee are analogous to the wings of a bird in function, though their structures differ."

Adjective

[~ to something]

Having a similar function or character but not necessarily a common evolutionary origin, specifically in biological contexts.

"The flipper of a whale is analogous to the arm of a human in terms of basic limb structure."

Last Updated: June 13, 2026•Report an Error