l’homologue

Definition & meaning

Homologue is a French noun or adjective meaning counterpart, equivalent, or corresponding.

• As a noun, it usually refers to someone who holds the same position or performs the same role in another organization, institution, or country: the French minister’s counterpart, for example.
• As an adjective, it describes things that correspond or serve equivalent roles. In scientific contexts, it can mean homologous.

The word has the same form for masculine and feminine nouns: un homologue and une homologue. The plural is homologues.

Grammar & Word origin

The word comes from Greek homólogos, meaning “agreeing” or “corresponding.” Its parts are homo- (“same”) and a root related to speaking or saying. This gives the broader sense of things that correspond or match.

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no single synonym that fits every use:

• équivalent ↗ means something equivalent in value, function, or effect; it need not refer to a person with the same role.
• correspondant ↗ emphasizes a match or correspondence, and can also mean a correspondent in other contexts.
• pendant ↗ can mean a counterpart, but is less specifically associated with matching professional or official roles.

There is no exact antonym. différent ↗ (“different”) and opposé ↗ (“opposite”) express contrast, but neither is a direct lexical opposite of homologue.

Common phrases & collocations

• son homologue français ↗ — “his or her French counterpart”
• rencontrer son homologue ↗ — “to meet one’s counterpart”
• des homologues européens ↗ — “European counterparts”