analog
analog — adjective
1. describes electronic systems that process information as a continuously changing
describes electronic systems that process information as a continuously changing physical quantity — such as a changing electric current or voltage — rather than as a series of separate numerical values
The old telephone system used analog signals to carry voices through copper wires.
collocation: analog signals
Omar built an analog circuit that measures temperature as a smooth change in voltage.
pattern: analog circuit + measures
Before digital recording, music was stored on vinyl records as analog sound waves.
An analog thermometer shows the temperature using a thin line of rising liquid.
Sivan's grandfather still uses an analog radio with a tuning dial and moving needle.
- continuous
describes the nature of the signal itself; narrower than 'analog'
- non-digital
broader term that overlaps with sense 2 as well
- digital
the opposite technology: represents data as separate numbers rather than continuous values
文法句型
analog + noun (signal/device/circuit)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (NOT DIGITAL): sense 1 describes HOW a device processes data (by continuous variation), while sense 2 describes WHAT KIND of technology it uses (traditional rather than computerized). A digital radio can still receive analog signals.
常見錯誤
2. using old-style mechanical or electrical technology instead of modern digital co
using old-style mechanical or electrical technology instead of modern digital computers or electronics — for example, a radio that uses a physical dial and a moving needle to find stations, rather than a touchscreen
Jabari uses an analog camera that needs film to capture pictures.
pattern: analog + device (camera, radio, synthesizer)
Rohan bought an analog synthesizer because he prefers its warm, natural sound.
The farm still relies on an analog thermometer with a glass tube and liquid inside.
Sayaka chose an analog radio whose physical dial lets her tune stations more precisely.
Some musicians prefer analog recording equipment for the richer, warmer sound it produces.
- non-digital
direct synonym; less common as a single word
- mechanical
overlaps but focuses on moving parts rather than the non-digital aspect
- traditional
broader in meaning, suggests conventional methods rather than specifically non-digital
- digital
the direct opposite; uses computer chips and numerical processing
- electronic
modern electronics are usually digital; 'electronic' alone does not guarantee digital
文法句型
be + analog
analog + noun (device/technology)
用法筆記
Frequently appears in product descriptions contrasting digital and analog versions. Sense 2 overlaps with sense 3 for watches: an analog watch (sense 3) is also analog (sense 2) because it is not a smartwatch.
常見錯誤
3. describes a clock or watch that shows the time using two or three moving hands a
describes a clock or watch that shows the time using two or three moving hands around a numbered face, instead of a screen that shows the time as numbers
The classroom clock is analog, with a short hour hand and a long minute hand.
pattern: analog clock + with hands
Iris learned to read an analog watch in the first grade at school.
The station clock was analog and showed ten minutes past eight when the train arrived.
Femi's grandfather gave him an old analog watch with a leather strap and gold hands.
A large analog clock hung above the library desk, ticking quietly through the afternoon.
- traditional
suggests classic design but does not specifically mean 'with hands'
- digital
a digital watch shows the time as numbers on a display
文法句型
analog clock/watch
the clock is analog
用法筆記
Only used for timepieces. A watch may fit both sense 3 (has hands) and sense 2 (is not a smartwatch), but the two meanings are separate: sense 3 contrasts with 'digital display' while sense 2 contrasts with 'computerized device'.
常見錯誤
analog — noun
1. a person, thing, or situation that is similar to another one in important ways,
a person, thing, or situation that is similar to another one in important ways, allowing a useful comparison between them
The Amazon river dolphin has no close analog among other freshwater species.
pattern: no close analog
Nikhil called the new social network an analog of older platforms, but with longer posts.
pattern: an analog of + [thing]
Modern electric cars have no direct analog in the early history of the automobile.
The psychologist found an analog to the child's behavior in studies of rescued animals.
Eleni found a close analog to her experience in an old novel about immigrants.
- equivalent
suggests equal value or function; narrower than 'analog'
- parallel
suggests a similarity in development or pattern
- counterpart
emphasises matching roles in different systems or contexts
- opposite
an opposite has a reversed or contrasting relationship, not a matching one
文法句型
an analog of / to [something]
用法筆記
More common in academic and analytical writing than in everyday conversation. The thing being compared usually follows 'of' or 'to'. In British English the spelling is often 'analogue'.