Basic Details
Word: Parallel
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Having the same distance between them at every point, or being similar in some way.
Synonyms: Alike, comparable, similar
Antonyms: Different, dissimilar, divergent
Idioms and Phrases
- Run parallel to: To move alongside something without intersecting. Example: "Her goals run parallel to his, making them great partners."
- Parallel universes: Imaginary worlds that exist alongside our own with different realities. Example: "In science fiction, there are often stories set in parallel universes."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The two lines on the paper are parallel, meaning they will never meet no matter how far they are extended.
Example 2: The experiences of the two brothers were so parallel that it was as if they were living the same life.
Example 3: In geometry class, we learned how to draw parallel lines and understand their properties.
Fun Fact
The word "parallel" comes from the Greek word "parallelos," meaning "beside one another." It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe lines, figures, and concepts that are similar or equidistant.
Famous Quote
"The future is already here it's just not very evenly distributed." William Gibson (This highlights the idea that where we are and what's happening can have parallel developments.)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "parallel" mean?
a) Straight lines that meet
b) Lines that remain the same distance apart
c) Lines that intersect at an angle
d) Lines that disappear
Answer: b) Lines that remain the same distance apart
2. Which of these is a synonym of "parallel"?
a) Different
b) Alike
c) Dissimilar
d) Divergent
Answer: b) Alike
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "parallel"?
a) Comparable
b) Similar
c) Dissimilar
d) Alike
Answer: c) Dissimilar
4. Which sentence uses "parallel" correctly?
a) The roads were parallel and ran straight for miles.
b) The parallel broke when I dropped my notebook.
c) The parallel dog chased its tail.
d) The engine was parallel to the car.
Answer: a) The roads were parallel and ran straight for miles.
5. What does the idiom "run parallel to" mean?
a) To collide with something
b) To move alongside without meeting
c) To run faster than something
d) To run away
Answer: b) To move alongside without meeting
