Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

obsolete

[ob-suh-leet, ob-suh-leet]

adjective

  1. no longer in general use; fallen into disuse.

    an obsolete expression.

    Antonyms: ,
  2. of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date.

    an obsolete battleship.

    Synonyms: , ,
    Antonyms: ,
  3. (of a linguistic form) no longer in use, especially, out of use for at least the past century.

  4. effaced by wearing down or away.

  5. Biology.imperfectly developed or rudimentary in comparison with the corresponding character in other individuals, as of a different sex or of a related species.



verb (used with object)

obsoleted, obsoleting 
  1. to make obsolete by replacing with something newer or better; antiquate.

    Automation has obsoleted many factory workers.

obsolete

/ ˌɒbsəˈliːt, ˈɒbsəˌliːt /

adjective

  1. out of use or practice; not current

  2. out of date; unfashionable or outmoded

  3. biology (of parts, organs, etc) vestigial; rudimentary

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Usage

Terms and definitions labeled Obsolete in this dictionary have not been in widespread use since the mid 1700s. Unlike some relatively familiar archaic words and phrases, like prithee and thou art, obsolete words and phrases are not easily understood by a modern reader, and obsolete senses of current terms, as found in definitions 13, 14, and 15 of nice, are even more difficult for a contemporary reader to recognize.
The word obsoleteness is hardly ever used, obsolescence standing as the noun form for both obsolete and obsolescent
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • obsoletely adverb
  • obsoleteness noun
  • nonobsolete adjective
  • subobsolete adjective
  • subobsoletely adverb
  • subobsoleteness noun
  • unobsolete adjective
  • ˈDzˌٱԱ noun
  • ˈDzˌٱ adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsolete1

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin DzDZŧٳܲ, past participle of DzDZŧ “to fall into disuse,” perhaps equivalent to ob- ob- + DZ(ŧ) “to be accustomed to” + -esce
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsolete1

C16: from Latin DzDZŧٳܲ worn out, past participle of DzDZŧ (unattested), from ob- opposite to + DZŧ to be used
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But the current em dash discourse is evidence that AI hasn’t made original writing obsolete just yet.

From

When asked if he is worried that this technology may one day render his job obsolete, he says he doesn't know too much about this.

From

Courthouse built in the 1930s on Spring Street near City Hall has been slated for “accelerated disposition” by the General Services Administration as part of a plan to sell off obsolete and underutilized federal properties.

From

Every day more data is being used and generated than ever before, but experts have long warned of a potential "digital Dark Age", as technological advances render previous software and hardware obsolete.

From

Unfortunately for the future of American democracy and freedom, the current Democratic Party is still looking backward to a vanished status quo and an obsolete understanding of politics.

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


obsolescentobstacle