analog
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.using physical signals like moving parts or waves rather than digital computer code.
adj.relating to signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity, such as spatial position or voltage.
Simple“I prefer wearing an analog watch because I like seeing the hands move around the face.”
In context“The studio engineer insisted on using analog recording equipment to capture the warm harmonic distortion that digital software often fails to replicate.”
UsageOften contrasted with 'digital' in technical contexts.
Synonymscontinuousnon digitalAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to real life or traditional ways of doing things instead of using the internet or computers.
adj.pertaining to the physical world or traditional methods as opposed to digital or virtual environments.
Simple“In our digital world, it is nice to have an analog hobby like gardening or painting.”
In context“Despite the convenience of e-readers, many bibliophiles still crave the analog experience of turning physical pages and smelling the ink on paper.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.something that is similar to something else in a way that allows you to compare them.
n.a person or thing seen as comparable to another; a counterpart that maintains a similar relationship or function.
Simple“The historical event was a close analog to the political crisis we are seeing today.”
In context“Researchers struggled to find a modern analog for the ancient social structure, as the tribal dynamics did not map neatly onto contemporary urban life.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a chemical that is very similar to another one, or a body part in a different animal that does the same job.
n.a structural derivative of a parent compound; in biology, a structure with a similar function but different evolutionary origin.
Simple“The scientists tested a new analog of the drug to see if it had fewer side effects.”
In context“The bird's wing and the insect's wing are biological analogs, performing the same aerodynamic function despite having entirely different ancestral paths.”
UsageIn chemistry, it refers to a molecule with a slightly altered structure.
Synonymsderivativehomologue
“Regan Dunn The PETM was Earth’s closest natural analog to the warming the world is experiencing today, although humans are releasing carbon dioxide roughly 10 times faster than the planet’s natural processes did then.”
“While there is a human analog of CAA, it is relatively rare, which can make funding challenging.”
First attested in the early 19th century; from French analogue, from Ancient Greek ἀνάλογος (análogos, “proportionate”), from ἀνά (aná, “up to”) + λόγος (lógos, “ratio”). Equivalent to ana- (“functionally similar”) + -log.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.