analogy
uh-NAL-uh-jee
/əˈnælədʒi/
A systematic comparison between two distinct things to highlight structural similarities for explanation or clarification.
Goes beyond simple poetic comparison (metaphor) to demonstrate functional or logical equivalence between systems.
The story behind the word. Ancient Greek mathematicians used 'analogia' to describe equal numerical proportions (e.g., 2 is to 4 as 4 is to 8). Philosophers like Aristotle expanded it from numbers to concepts, creating structural comparisons.
Word relationships
- parallel: 'Parallel' highlights corresponding features across events, while 'analogy' is an explanatory conceptual model.
- metaphor: 'Metaphor' is a poetic figure of speech stating X is Y, whereas 'analogy' explicitly explains structural functions.
- disparity: 'Disparity' emphasizes radical difference, whereas 'analogy' highlights structural similarity.
Commonly confused with
- metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech ('time is a thief'); an analogy is an extended explanatory argument showing functional equivalence.
Word family
- analogous (adjective): Comparable in certain respects.
- analogously (adverb): In a manner that shows similarity.
Collocations
- draw an analogy
- by analogy with
- false analogy
- useful analogy
Example sentences
- "To explain how an electric circuit works to middle school students, the science teacher drew an analogy to water flowing through pipes." Science education
- "Analogy is the core of cognition, serving as the invisible fuel that drives human thought and understanding." Cognitive science literature
Memory hook
ANALOGY uses LOGIC to compare two distinct things. A structural comparison showing how X is like Y.
When not to use
Do not use when comparing two nearly identical objects of the same class (e.g., comparing two sedans is a direct comparison, not an analogy).
Fun facts
- Ernest Rutherford used the analogy of a solar system to explain atomic structure, with electrons orbiting the nucleus like planets orbiting the sun.
Related words
Explore more words
metaphor, counterpart, systemic, juxtaposition, break down, analyze
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