analog

1 of 2

noun (1)

an·​a·​log

variant spelling of analogue entry 1

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

noun (2)

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)

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 analog in a Sentence

Noun (2)

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

The device can convert analog audio into digital streams all the way up to the professional-grade 32-bit/192 kHz standard. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The cognitive work that remains distinctly human in an AI world — reflection, synthesis, planning, original thought — turns out to be the work that analog methods support best. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026

Noun

Revealed earlier this year, the interior is a celebration of tactility, from its solid metal switchgear and analogue dials, to its simplistic, almost retro steering wheel and plush leather upholstery bathed in ambient lighting. —Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

What Raúl doesn’t know is what comes next, which is troubling news for Bonifacio’s real-life analogue, his longtime muse and partner Santí (Quim Gutiérrez). —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

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

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for analog

• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog
• travelogue