Words / C1

PAR-uh-lel/ˈpærəlel/

Parallel means similar and happening alongside, or of lines never meeting: a parallel process, parallel lines, in parallel. Similar is everyday; analogue is a cousin. Paradox is not the same. Do not call an opposite outcome parallel.

Meaning

Similar and happening at the same time; of lines, the same distance apart and never meeting.

Examples

• “A parallel complaint landed from the night cohort the same afternoon.”
• “A parallel complaint from the night cohort landed the same afternoon.”
• “In parallel = at the same time, alongside. Similar is everyday. Parallel lines is geometry. An opposite finding is a contrast, not a parallel.”

Good to know

Alongside / similar; also never-meeting lines. Phrase: in parallel. Everyday: similar. Opposite outcome ≠ parallel.

Near in meaning

similar

New