obsolescent
Americanadjective
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becoming obsolete; passing out of use, as a word.
an obsolescent term.
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becoming outdated or outmoded, as machinery or weapons.
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Biology. gradually disappearing or imperfectly developed, as vestigial organs.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of obsolescent
First recorded in 1745–55, obsolescent is from the Latin word obsolēscent- (stem of obsolēscēns, present participle of obsolēscere to fall into disuse). See obsolete, -escent
Explanation
Recycling bins, garbage dumps, and junkyards are filled with obsolescent stuff — computers, televisions, cars, and everything else that's discarded because it's not the latest thing anymore. The word obsolescent is closely related to obsolete and the words are often used interchangeably. Actually, though, the -sc- in obsolescent means "becoming." So, if you're going to use the word carefully, you can talk about your obsolescent computer that still lumbers along but will soon be obsolete and completely useless.
Vocabulary lists containing obsolescent
"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 2
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I, Robot
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was opened in 1974 and is now considered obsolescent; a replacement site in Maryland has already been chosen.
From Salon ● Feb. 16, 2025
“Without this investment strategy, much of the existing housing stock across the country would go into disrepair, become obsolescent, and in some cases become unlivable,” Schwartz said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2024
But Randolph and Hastings always planned on video streaming rendering the DVD-by-mail service obsolescent once technology advanced to the point that watching movies and TV shows through internet connections became viable.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 28, 2023
“An obsolescent subgenre,” he declared, with conspicuous relish; a “naïve” little form, as outmoded as its cheap effects, the table-tapping and flickering candlelight.
From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2018
When the university increased under Elizabeth, the idea of living in halls in the medi�val fashion, as we have seen, was obsolescent, so that the result of the increase was to enlarge the colleges.
From An American at Oxford by Corbin, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
