Parallel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb adverb /ˈper-ə-ˌlel/ par·al·lel

Meaning & Definition of Parallel

Parallel (adjective)

  1. extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting
  2. everywhere equally distant
  3. having parallel sides

Parallel (noun)

  1. a parallel line, curve, or surface
  2. one of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth paralleling the equator and marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map
  3. a character ∥ used in printing especially as a reference mark

Parallel (verb)

  1. to indicate analogy of, compare
  2. to show something equal to, match
  3. to correspond to

Parallel (adverb)

  1. in a parallel manner

Parallel (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having qualities in common

    "parallel lives of two friends who first met in college"

    similar: akin, alike, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto, like, matching, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike, on the order of
    related: commensurate, proportionate, tantamount, virtual, allied, congeneric, congenerous, congenial, connatural, kin, kindred, relatable, related, approaching, approximating, close, coextensive, coincident, conformable, conforming, consistent, consonant, duplicate, equal, equivalent, fungible, identical, indistinguishable, interchangeable, me-too, redundant, same, selfsame, substitutable, synonymous, twin, entire, homogeneous, homogenous, unchanging, uniform, unvaried, unvarying
    opposite: different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike
    near: disparate, distinct, distinguishable, nonequivalent, noninterchangeable, variable, varied, various, varying, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, unconnected, unrelated

Parallel (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a point which two or more things share in common

    "her professor pointed out some parallels between the two novels"

    similar: common denominator, commonality, congruity, correspondence, resemblance, similarity, similitude
    related: counterpart, equal, equivalent, analogy, homology
    opposite: dissimilarity
    near: difference, discrepancy, deviance, divergence, incongruence, incongruity, change, modification, variation

  2. one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value

    "an advance that is without parallel in the history of virology"

    similar: coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, like, match, peer, rival
    related: analogue, double, half, mate, twin, associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner, competitor

Parallel (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be the exact counterpart of

    "developments in the television show paralleled those in the lead actor's real life"

    similar: correspond (to), equal, match
    related: blend (with), conform (to), coordinate (with), go (with), harmonize (with), complement, supplement, counterbalance, counterpoise, echo, image, mirror, repeat, add up (to), amount (to), approach, come (to), near, measure (up), partake (of), rival, suggest

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Parallel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Parallel:

akin, alike, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto, like, matching, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike, on the order of, common denominator, commonality, congruity, correspondence, resemblance, similarity, similitude, coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, match, peer, rival, correspond (to)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Parallel

Words with the opposite meaning of Parallel:

different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike, dissimilarity

Related Words for Parallel

commensurate, proportionate, tantamount, virtual, allied, congeneric, congenerous, congenial, connatural, kin, kindred, relatable, related, approaching, approximating, close, coextensive, coincident, conformable, conforming, consistent, consonant, duplicate, fungible, identical, indistinguishable, interchangeable, me-too, redundant, same

Near Antonyms of Parallel

disparate, distinct, distinguishable, nonequivalent, noninterchangeable, variable, varied, various, varying, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, unconnected, unrelated, difference, discrepancy, deviance, divergence, incongruence, incongruity, change, modification, variation

Word Forms of Parallel

Inflections: paralleled, paralleling, parallels

Origin & Etymology of Parallel

Latin parallelus, from Greek parallēlos, from para beside + allēlōn of one another, from allos … allos one … another, from allos other else

First known use: circa 1550

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Parallel

Words & Phrases Containing Parallel

parallel bars, parallel evolution, parallel park, parallel-veined, in parallel, massively parallel

Frequently Asked Questions about Parallel

What does "Parallel" mean?

"Parallel" means extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting. As an an adjective, a noun, a verb and an adverb, it is defined as: extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Parallel"?

Other words for "Parallel" include akin, alike, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent and corresponding. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Parallel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Parallel"?

There are 109 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Parallel". Common alternatives include akin, alike, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto and like.

What is the opposite of "Parallel"?

Antonyms of "Parallel" include different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike and dissimilarity. Near antonyms include disparate, distinct, distinguishable and nonequivalent.

How do you use "Parallel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Parallel" in a sentence: "parallel lives of two friends who first met in college"; "her professor pointed out some parallels between the two novels"; "an advance that is without parallel in the history of virology".

Is "Parallel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Parallel" can be used as an adjective, a noun, a verb and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Parallel" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Parallel" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Parallel"?

"Parallel" is pronounced /ˈper-ə-ˌlel/ and divided into syllables as par·al·lel.