asynchronous
UK[eɪˈsɪŋkrənəs]US[eɪˈsɪŋkrənəs]
adj
Not existing or occurring at the same time.
adj
(of a computer or telecommunications) Not having to run or operate at the same speed or in a fixed time relationship with another process or device.
Morpheme Breakdown
a
syn
chronous
a
not
syn
together
chronous
time
Etymology
The word "asynchronous" is a modern scientific term built directly from ancient Greek components. It combines the negative prefix "a-" with the root "syn-" (together) and "-chronous" (time), creating a literal meaning of "not together in time." This logical construction was adopted into English in the mid-18th century to describe events separated in time. Its usage expanded dramatically in the 20th century with computing and telecommunications, where it precisely describes processes that operate independently without a shared clock signal, perfectly preserving its original etymological logic of temporal separation.
Analysis
Structure: a (not) + syn (together) + chronous (time)
a-: A Greek prefix meaning "not," "without," or "lacking."
syn-: A Greek prefix meaning "together," "with," or "same."
-chronous: From Greek chronos (time), forming adjectives meaning "of or relating to time."
Examples
The students participated in an asynchronous online course, completing lectures and assignments on their own schedules.
The two clocks were asynchronous, showing a difference of several minutes.
Asynchronous communication, like email, does not require the sender and receiver to be active at the same moment.