obsolescent

American  

[ob-suh-les-uhnt] / ˌɒb səˈlɛs ənt /

adjective

1. becoming obsolete; passing out of use, as a word.

   an obsolescent term.

2. becoming outdated or outmoded, as machinery or weapons.

3. Biology. gradually disappearing or imperfectly developed, as vestigial organs.

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obsolescent British  

/ ˌɒbsəˈlɛsənt /

adjective

1. becoming obsolete or out of date

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Other Word Forms

• obsolescence noun
• obsolescently adverb

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.

Example Sentences

DVRs aren’t needed for streaming services; that’s what has made them obsolescent.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

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

The Times’s Sarah Lyall described le Carré as “one of the last great practitioners of the increasingly obsolescent art of letter-writing.”

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2022

The later withdrawal of U.S. missiles from Turkey mildly assuaged Soviet humiliation, although in August, Kennedy had contemplated removing them because they were obsolescent.

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2022

What thought of private gain will ever scrap our obsolescent railroads and our stagnating industrial monopolies for new clean methods?

From New Worlds For Old A Plain Account of Modern Socialism by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)