analog

/ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/

//ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ// adj

"analog" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“analog” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #10,644 in English word frequency and used as an adjective.

#10,644
frequency rank, English
6
letters
8
tracked misspellings
5
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - 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).

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

analog vs anglo
67% similar
analog vs Avalon
50% similar
analog vs analogy
86% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for analog
PropertyValue
Headwordanalog
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/
Letters6
Frequency rank#10,644
Misspellings tracked8
Confusable pairs5
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “analog” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). analog lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for analog is 6 letters long, classified as an adjective, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/. Corpus data places it at rank #10,644 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 8 likely wrong-spelling variants for analog, with forms such as "aanlog", "analgo", and "anallog". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 5 confusable-pair relationships, "anglo", "Avalon", "analogy", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: 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. The correct English form is analog, spelled A-N-A-L-O-G.

Definition

  1. 1
    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. 2
    Not relating to, or pre-dating, digital technology such as computers and the Internet; relating to real life.

Etymology

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.

Antonyms

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: aanlog,analgo,anallog,analogg,anaolg,anlaog,annalog,naalog

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of analog - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

aanlog2analgo2anallog1analogg1anaolg2anlaog2annalog1naalog2
Edit distance from "analog"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "analog"?
"analog" is spelled A-N-A-L-O-G. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/.
What does "analog" mean?
As an adjective, "analog" means: 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).
What words are commonly confused with "analog"?
"analog" is commonly confused with "anglo", "Avalon", "analogy". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "analog"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "analog" is /ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "analog"?
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. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “analog”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is A-N-A-L-O-G - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈæn.əˌlɒɡ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “anglo” - see the side-by-side comparison. analog vs anglo
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list