analog - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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.

analog (not comparable)

  1. (of a device or system) In which the value of a data item (such as time) is represented by a continuous(ly) variable physical quantity that can be measured (such as the shadow of a sundial).
    an analog watch
  2. Not relating to, or pre-dating, digital technology such as computers and the Internet; relating to real life.
    Synonym: material
    an analog (paper) map
    • 2022 January 30, Tish Harrison Warren, “Why Churches Should Drop Their Online Services”, in The New York Times‎[5], →ISSN:
      But for these digital natives, the stubborn analog wonders of skin, handshakes, hugs, bread and wine, faces, names and spontaneous conversation is part of what intrigued them and kept them going to church.
    • 2021 November 18, Kara Swisher, “The Prescience of 1970’s ‘Future Shock’”, in The New York Times‎[6], →ISSN:
      Not that I expect my children’s generation to be shocked by it all. Unlike my analog upbringing, they were born into a digital world.
    • 2021 September 15, Reeves Wiedeman, “Why Does Every Company Now Want to Be a Platform?”, in The New York Times‎[7], →ISSN:
      But what, exactly, is a platform? In the analog world, a platform is where you catch a train or launch a rocket or give a speech — somewhere you go to do something else.
    • 2025 June 6, Catherine Pearson, “A New Way to Date: The Old-Fashioned Way”, in The New York Times‎[8], →ISSN:
      Effective analog dating demands a similar commitment to strategizing, she said, and “if you have your phone in your face, or earbuds in your ears, you’re not going to meet anyone.”

In American English, analog is the preferred spelling for the adjective (e.g., analog signal), while analogue is often used as the noun form (e.g., meat analogue), especially in literary or comparative contexts.[1][2]

represented by a continuously variable physical quantity

analog (plural analogs)

  1. (countable) Something that bears an analogy to something else.
  2. (countable, biology) An organ or structure that is similar in function to one in another kind of organism but is of dissimilar evolutionary origin.
    Coordinate terms: homolog, homologue
    See also: convergent evolution
  3. (chemistry) A structural derivative of a parent compound that differs from it by only one or a few atoms or substituent groups; (usually, especially) such a molecule that retains most of the same chemical properties.
    Hyponym: insulin analogue

In American English, analog is the preferred spelling for the adjective (e.g., analog signal), while analogue is often used as the noun form (e.g., meat analogue), especially in literary or comparative contexts.[3][4]

something that bears an analogy

structural derivative

  1. ^ “Analog”, in Merriam-Webster Dictionary‎[1], 30 September 2025 (last accessed)
  2. ^ “Analog vs. Analogue”, in Grammarist‎[2], 30 September 2025 (last accessed)
  3. ^ “Analog”, in Merriam-Webster Dictionary‎[3], 30 September 2025 (last accessed)
  4. ^ “Analog vs. Analogue”, in Grammarist‎[4], 30 September 2025 (last accessed)

Borrowed from English analogue

analog

  1. analogue

analog m inan

  1. analog, analogue (something that bears an analogy to something else)
    • 2007, Karel Riegel, Ekonomická psychologie‎[10]:
      Průmyslová výroba, industriální věk již těží ze zdroje, kterému se nešťastně říká "lidská pracovní síla". Je napojena na cyklus, v němž se člověk stává analogem přírodní síly a oživuje soustavu strojů.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  2. (chemistry) analog, analogue (structural derivative of a parent compound)
    • 2006, Jaroslav Rybka, Diabetologie pro sestry‎[11]:
      Prvním dlouze působícím inzulinovým analogem byl glargin připravený DNA-rekombinantní technologií.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

From Ancient Greek ἀνάλογος (análogos). Equivalent to ana- +‎ -log.

analog (neuter analogt, plural and definite singular attributive analoge)

  1. analogue
    Synonyms: lignende, tilsvarende
  2. analog

Inflection of analog

| | positive | comparative | superlative | | | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------- | -- | | indefinite common singular | analog | — | —2 | | indefinite neuter singular | analogt | — | —2 | | plural | analoge | — | —2 | | definite attributive1 | analoge | — | — |

1 When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite,
the corresponding "indefinite" form is used.
2 The "indefinite" superlatives may not be used attributively.

Borrowed from French analogue.

analog (strong nominative masculine singular analoger, not comparable)

  1. (formal) analogous
    Synonyms: ähnlich, vergleichbar, gleichartig
  2. (physics, computing) analog
    Antonym: digital
  3. (colloquial) analog, material (not electronic or computerised)
    Synonym: materiell
    Ich lese lieber ein anfassbares, analoges Buch als ein E-Book. ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Positive forms of analog (uncomparable)

From Dutch analoog, from French analogue or German analog, from Latin analogus, from Ancient Greek ἀνάλογος (análogos).

analog (comparative lebih analog, superlative paling analog)

  1. (sciences, surveying) analogue, analog: in which the value of a data item (such as time) is represented by a continuous(ly) variable physical quantity that can be measured (such as the shadow of a sundial)
  2. analogous: having analogy; corresponding to something else; bearing some resemblance or proportion (often followed by "to".)

analog (plural **analog-analog)

  1. (chemistry) analog: a structural derivative of a parent compound that differs from it by only one or a few atoms or substituent groups; (usually, especially) such a molecule that retains most of the same chemical properties

analog (neuter singular analogt, definite singular and plural analoge)

  1. analogous
  2. analogue (UK) or analog (US)

analog (neuter singular analogt, definite singular and plural analoge)

  1. analogous
  2. analog (US) or analogue (UK)

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ἀνάλογος (análogos).[1][2] First attested in the 19th century.[3]

analog m inan

  1. analog (something that bears an analogy)
    Synonyms: (literary) analogon, odpowiednik
  2. (chemistry) analog (structural derivative)
    analog insuliny ― analog of insulin
  3. (colloquial, music) phonograph record
    Synonym: płyta
  4. (colloquial, technology) any analog device
    Antonym: cyfra
  1. ^ Mirosław Bańko; Lidia Wiśniakowska (2021), “analog”, in Wielki słownik wyrazów obcych, →ISBN
  2. ^ Witold Doroszewski, editor (1958–1969), “analog”, in Słownik języka polskiego (in Polish), Warszawa: PWN
  3. ^ J. Karłowicz, A. Kryński, W. Niedźwiedzki, editors (1900), “analog”, in Słownik języka polskiego (in Polish), volume 1, Warsaw, page 34

Borrowed from French analogue, from Latin analogus.

analog m or n (feminine singular analoagă, masculine plural analogi, feminine/neuter plural analoage)

  1. analogue (represented by a continuously variable physical quantity)

ana- +‎ -log

analog

  1. analogue

Inflection of analog

Indefinite positive comparative superlative1
common singular analog — —
neuter singular analogt — —
plural analoga — —
masculine plural2 analoge — —
Definite positive comparative superlative
masculine singular3 analoge — —
all analoga — —

1 The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative.
2 Dated or archaic.
3 Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine.