Analog refers to something that is similar in function or form to something else, or refers to a type of information representation that uses continuous signals rather than discrete steps. In everyday use, it contrasts with digital, describing devices, systems, or reasoning that rely on continuous variation or similarity rather than binary encoding. The term also appears in biology and logic with related notions of correspondence.
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"The analogy between the human brain and a computer is a classic analogy in cognitive science."
"A turn-by-turn analog clock shows time with a moving hour hand and minute hand."
"In electronics, analog signals vary smoothly, unlike digital signals which jump between discrete values."
"Her argument drew an analogy between gravity and a stretched sheet representing potential energy."
Analog comes from the Greek ana- meaning ‘up or proportionally’ and logos meaning ‘ratio, word, or reason,’ via Latin analogus and Old French anologie, evolving through Latin analogue and English analog. Early engineering and scientific usage in the 19th century borrowed the term to describe measurements and representations that varied continuously in proportion to a physical quantity, as opposed to discrete, stepwise representations in digital systems. In the mid-20th century, analog gained prominence in electronics, where voltages and currents are continuous; the term expanded to describe reasoning that maps one domain to another through proportional relationships. While “analog” initially described continuous physical signals, it broadened to describe similarity and correspondence in logic and model-building across disciplines. First known uses appear in scientific treatises in the 1800s, with widespread adoption in engineering literature by the 1920s and 1930s as analog computers and circuits became common. The word’s semantic evolution mirrors changing technology: from proportional representation to metaphorical resemblance, which persists in modern usage.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "analog" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "analog" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "analog"
-gon sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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US: /ˈæn.ə.lɔɡ/; UK/AU: /ˈæ.nə.lɒɡ/. Focus on two strong open syllables and a dark L transition to the final /ɔɡ/ or /ɒɡ/. Stress on the first syllable, with a light middle /ə/ and a rounded, back vowel in the final syllable. Mouth: start with a short front vowel, then relax the jaw for /ə/, then pull the tongue back for /lɔɡ/ or /lɒɡ/. Audio reference: listen to native speakers saying “analog signal” and mimic the two-syllable pattern.” ,
Common errors: flattening the first vowel to a long /æ/ too strongly, producing /ˈeɪ.nə.lɔɡ/; ending with a hard or clipped /ɡ/ instead of a soft velar stop; misplacing the /l/ by turning it into a vowel-like '/lɒ/'. Correction tips: use a short /æ/ for the first vowel, keep the /ə/ unstressed in the second syllable, and ensure the final /ɡ/ is a light, voiced velar stop rather than a fricative. Practice by saying ‘AN-uh-log’ with crisp separation except where the speaker’s pace allows light linking.” ,
US: /ˈæn.ə.lɔɡ/ with rhoticity; UK/AU: /ˈæ.nə.lɒɡ/ where /ɒ/ is a back open vowel and /l/ is clear. The main differences lie in vowel quality of the second syllable and the final /ɡ/ release: US tends toward a slightly stronger /ɔ/ nucleus before /ɡ/, UK/AU lean toward /ɒ/. The rhotic US pronunciation keeps a more pronounced /r/ coloring before vowels in adjacent phrases; non-rhotic UK/AU variants may link less with following vowels. IPA references: US /ˈæn.ə.lɔɡ/, UK /ˈæ.nə.lɒɡ/, AU /ˈæ.nə.lɒɡ/.
Difficulty arises from the short, reduced vowel in the second syllable and the back rounded final vowel before a hard /ɡ/. The transition from /ə/ to /l/ to /ɔɡ/ or /ɒɡ/ requires careful tongue retraction and lip rounding, especially in rapid speech. Also, speakers often misplace stress or blend the two open syllables, causing a diluted first syllable. Focus on articulatory clarity: ensure a distinct /æn/ then a quick, relaxed /ə/ before /l/ and /ɔɡ/.
The unique feature is the contrast between a near-front vowel in the first syllable and a back vowel in the final nucleus, combined with a clear /l/ onset for the second syllable and a final /ɡ/ release. The ability to maintain two different vowel qualities within two adjacent syllables while keeping a smooth flow is distinctive. Also, the US rhotic influence can alter the perceived quality of the /ə/ in the middle if spoken quickly.
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