obsolete
Something is obsolete when it is no longer used because a better, newer version exists.
Explanation at your level:
Something is obsolete when you do not use it anymore. For example, an old phone is obsolete because you have a new smartphone. It is old and not useful now.
We use the word obsolete to talk about things that are old and replaced by new things. If you have a computer from 1990, it is obsolete because it is too slow for today's internet.
The word obsolete describes technology or ideas that are no longer useful. Because technology changes fast, many gadgets become obsolete after only a few years. It is a common term in business when talking about old products.
Obsolete is used to indicate that something has been superseded by a more modern version. It is a formal term often found in technical or academic writing. When a manufacturing process is rendered obsolete, the company must change its strategy to survive.
In advanced contexts, obsolete can refer to social norms or linguistic patterns that have fallen out of favor. It carries a nuance of 'historical irrelevance.' Scholars might describe an obsolete theory as one that has been disproven or replaced by a more comprehensive scientific model.
At a mastery level, obsolete captures the inevitable decay of utility in a progressive society. It is often used in cultural critique to discuss the 'planned obsolescence' of consumer goods. The term reflects the tension between tradition and innovation, suggesting that even the most cutting-edge tools of today will eventually become the obsolete artifacts of tomorrow.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means no longer used
- Common in technology
- Adjective form only
- Has a noun: obsolescence
When we say something is obsolete, we mean it has reached the end of its useful life. It is not necessarily broken; rather, it has been outpaced by progress.
Think about a floppy disk or a cassette tape. These items still exist, but they are obsolete because we now use cloud storage and streaming services. The world has moved on, and these older versions no longer fit into our modern daily routines.
You will often hear this word in business or tech news. Companies worry about their products becoming obsolete if they don't innovate. It is a powerful word that signals the transition from the 'old way' to the 'new way' of doing things.
The word obsolete comes from the Latin word obsoletus, which is the past participle of obsolescere, meaning 'to grow old' or 'to fall into disuse.'
It entered the English language in the 16th century. Interestingly, the Latin root is related to ob- (meaning 'away') and solere (meaning 'to be accustomed'). So, etymologically, it literally describes something that we are no longer 'accustomed' to using.
Over the centuries, it has shifted from describing old-fashioned clothes or customs to being the go-to term for the rapid pace of technological change in the digital age.
You will most commonly see obsolete used as an adjective following a 'to be' verb, such as 'The technology became obsolete.' It is a formal word, so you might use it in a report or a professional presentation rather than in casual slang.
Common collocations include technologically obsolete, rendered obsolete, and completely obsolete. It carries a slightly clinical or objective tone, making it perfect for describing market trends or historical shifts.
Avoid using it to describe people; it is almost exclusively reserved for objects, systems, or ideas.
While 'obsolete' is a standalone adjective, it is often found in phrases like 'go the way of the dinosaur', which means to become obsolete. Another common expression is 'a relic of the past', referring to something that is obsolete and historic.
You might also hear 'outdated and obsolete' used as a rhyming emphasis. Another phrase is 'past its prime', which is a softer way of saying something is becoming obsolete. Finally, 'on its way out' describes something currently in the process of becoming obsolete.
Pronunciation: In British English, it is often pronounced /ˌɒb.səˈliːt/, while American English often shifts the stress to the first syllable: /ˈɑːb.sə.liːt/. Both are widely accepted.
Grammar: It is an adjective, so it doesn't have a plural form. You cannot say 'an obsoletes.' Instead, use it before a noun ('an obsolete machine') or after a linking verb ('the machine is obsolete').
It is a gradable adjective, so you can use 'completely' or 'largely' to modify it, though some purists argue that if something is obsolete, it is already 100% finished.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'solemn' in some interpretations, but mostly relates to 'accustomed'.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with 'ob' like 'object'.
Stress is on the first syllable.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing the 't' at the end too softly
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand in context
Useful for formal writing
Common in professional settings
Frequently heard in news
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The obsolete car.
Linking verbs
It is obsolete.
Gradable adjectives
Very obsolete.
Examples by Level
My old phone is obsolete.
phone / old / no use
adjective after verb
This software is now obsolete.
The machine is obsolete and broken.
We replaced the obsolete system.
That style is completely obsolete.
Are these maps obsolete?
The manual is now obsolete.
He found an obsolete camera.
Why is this tool obsolete?
The company stopped making the obsolete parts.
Technology makes many jobs obsolete.
My computer is becoming obsolete.
The law is now considered obsolete.
They sold their obsolete equipment.
Is this format obsolete yet?
Many skills become obsolete over time.
The design is functionally obsolete.
The factory was closed because its methods were obsolete.
Digital streaming has rendered physical discs obsolete.
He argued that the curriculum was obsolete.
The report highlights obsolete safety standards.
We must update our obsolete infrastructure.
She studied obsolete languages for her degree.
The invention made manual labor obsolete.
They discarded the obsolete files.
The theory has been rendered obsolete by new research.
Planned obsolescence is a controversial business strategy.
The author critiques the obsolete values of the era.
His arguments felt obsolete in the modern debate.
The museum displays obsolete farming tools.
She felt her training had become obsolete.
The political system was viewed as obsolete.
They replaced the obsolete software architecture.
The archaic syntax makes the text practically obsolete to modern readers.
He lamented how quickly the digital landscape makes hardware obsolete.
The cultural practices were deemed obsolete by the younger generation.
The firm struggled to pivot away from its obsolete business model.
The transition from analog to digital made the equipment obsolete.
Societal shifts can make once-cherished traditions obsolete.
The engine design is now technologically obsolete.
The document contains obsolete legal terminology.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"go the way of the dinosaur"
to become extinct or obsolete
Typewriters have gone the way of the dinosaur.
casual"a relic of the past"
something old and no longer useful
That machine is just a relic of the past.
neutral"past its prime"
no longer at its best or useful
The car is a bit past its prime.
casual"on the way out"
becoming less popular or obsolete
Cash is on the way out.
casual"yesterday's news"
no longer relevant
That trend is yesterday's news.
casualEasily Confused
Looks similar
Obsolescent means 'becoming' obsolete.
The format is obsolescent.
Same meaning
Outdated is less formal.
The map is outdated.
Both mean old
Archaic is much older.
The language is archaic.
Both imply 'no use'
Broken means not working; obsolete means outdated.
The screen is broken.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + obsolete
The system is obsolete.
Subject + became + obsolete
The tool became obsolete.
Render + object + obsolete
The update rendered it obsolete.
Consider + noun + obsolete
We consider this obsolete.
Technologically + obsolete
It is technologically obsolete.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Obsolete is an adjective, not a verb.
Obsolete is for things, not people.
Broken means it doesn't work; obsolete means it's outdated.
It has no plural form.
The noun form is obsolescence, not obsolete.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place an old VCR in your hallway to represent 'obsolete'.
Tech Talk
Use it when discussing old software.
Business Context
Use it to explain why a product failed.
Adjective Rule
Always use it with a noun or after 'is/are'.
Stress Check
Focus on the first syllable in US English.
Don't verb it
Don't say 'I obsoleted my phone'.
Latin Roots
It comes from 'to grow old'.
Flashcards
Pair it with 'outdated' on one card.
Formal Writing
Use it in essays about progress.
Clear Speech
Enunciate the 't' at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
OB-SO-LETE: Old Bits SO LEave Them Empty.
Visual Association
A dusty floppy disk in a trash can.
Word Web
Challenge
List 3 things in your room that are becoming obsolete.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To grow old or fall into disuse
Cultural Context
None
Used heavily in business and tech journalism.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Tech Support
- The driver is obsolete
- Update the obsolete software
- It is no longer supported
Business Strategy
- Avoid obsolete models
- Innovation prevents obsolescence
- The product is obsolete
History Class
- Obsolete weapons
- Obsolete social norms
- Historical context
Daily Life
- My phone is obsolete
- This format is obsolete
- Get an upgrade
Conversation Starters
"What is one piece of technology that is now obsolete?"
"Do you think books will become obsolete?"
"Why do companies make products that become obsolete?"
"What is an obsolete habit you used to have?"
"Is it better to keep old things or buy new ones?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a device you loved that is now obsolete.
Discuss the pros and cons of planned obsolescence.
What is a tradition that has become obsolete?
Imagine a world where nothing ever becomes obsolete.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective.
Obsolescence.
No, it sounds rude.
Yes, especially in tech.
Modern or current.
Not necessarily.
Yes, fairly formal.
Yes, but 'completely' is better.
Test Yourself
My old phone is ___.
It is no longer used.
What does obsolete mean?
Outdated means no longer used.
Can a person be obsolete?
We use it for things/ideas.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms and antonyms.
This technology is now obsolete.
Score: /5
Summary
When something is obsolete, it has been replaced by something newer and better.
- Means no longer used
- Common in technology
- Adjective form only
- Has a noun: obsolescence
Memory Palace
Place an old VCR in your hallway to represent 'obsolete'.
Tech Talk
Use it when discussing old software.
Business Context
Use it to explain why a product failed.
Adjective Rule
Always use it with a noun or after 'is/are'.
Example
My old flip phone is now obsolete since everyone uses smartphones.
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