- [countable, uncountable] a person, a situation, an event, etc. that is very similar to another, especially one in a different place or time synonym equivalent
- These ideas have parallels in Freud's thought too.
- This tradition has no parallel in our culture.
- without parallel This is an achievement without parallel in modern times.
Extra Examples- The move west suggests a parallel with the earlier American pioneer experience.
- This weather pattern of the southern hemisphere has no parallel in the north.
- We found a direct parallel in the attitudes of children in other countries.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- direct
- exact
- clear
- …
- have
- find
- note
- …
- exist
- without parallel
- parallel between
- parallel in
- …
- [countable, usually plural] similar features
- There are interesting parallels between the 1960s and the late 1990s.
- It is possible to draw a parallel between (= find similar features in) their experience and ours.
Extra Examples- Parallels do exist between the author's family and that of Francie Coffin.
- She saw an obvious parallel with her sister's predicament.
- A close parallel to this behaviour is found in dolphins.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- direct
- exact
- clear
- …
- have
- find
- note
- …
- exist
- without parallel
- parallel between
- parallel in
- …
- (also line of latitude, parallel of latitude)[countable] an imaginary line around the earth that is always the same distance from the equator; this line on a map
- the 49th parallel
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from French parallèle, via Latin from Greek parallēlos, from para- ‘alongside’ + allēlos ‘one another’.
Idioms
See parallel in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee parallel in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishin parallel (with something/somebody)
- with and at the same time as something/somebody else
- The new degree and the existing certificate courses would run in parallel.
- Ann wanted to pursue her own career in parallel with her husband’s.
Check pronunciation:
parallel