obsolete

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

adjective

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

   an obsolete expression.

   Antonyms: modern, new

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 of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date:

   an obsolete battleship.

   Synonyms: old, ancient, antiquated

   Antonyms: modern, new

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

, ob·so·let·ed, ob·so·let·ing.

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 out of date; unfashionable or outmoded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

Usage Note

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.

Usage

The word obsoleteness is hardly ever used, obsolescence standing as the noun form for both obsolete and obsolescent

Derived Forms

• ˈobsoˌleteness, noun
• ˈobsoˌletely, adverb

Other Words From

• obso·letely adverb
• obso·leteness noun
• nonob·so·lete adjective
• sub·obso·lete adjective
• sub·obso·letely adverb
• sub·obso·leteness noun
• unob·so·lete adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsolete¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin obsolētus, past participle of obsolēscere “to fall into disuse,” perhaps equivalent to ob- ob- + sol(ēre) “to be accustomed to” + -ēscere -esce

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsolete¹

C16: from Latin obsolētus worn out, past participle of obsolēre (unattested), from ob- opposite to + solēre to be used

Example Sentences

At the same time California increased the requirements on how effective the city’s stormwater system needs to be, the city’s system became obsolete, its population grew and the impacts of climate change grew more severe.

From Voice of San Diego

The emergence of the variants raised the specter that the current generation of vaccines might be rendered obsolete before they have even been fully rolled out.

From Washington Post

When the project first came up, commissioners asked questions about the data and how it would be stored but were generally positive in their comments — one even suggested that the new technology might someday make traffic engineers obsolete.

From Voice of San Diego

Fabiola Alvarez Yurcisin, who works with found and often obsolete materials, constructed a cage inside which such terms as “asylum,” “fear” and “wall” are reflected in a mirror.

From Washington Post

The US federal minimum wage is becoming increasingly obsolete.

From Quartz

But their weapons are becomingly increasingly obsolete—and that has some in the U.S. Air Force spooked.

From The Daily Beast

That data (collected in 2012 and 2013) is obsolete: Jesse Logan confirms both areas are “now showing significant mortality.”

From The Daily Beast

The “Computer Rock” tunes, with references to BASIC programming, were almost immediately rendered obsolete.

From The Daily Beast

And fashion editor Lynn Yaeger thinks print magazines are becoming "obsolete."

From The Daily Beast

Yet the fact that innovation is a wonderful, exciting thing is cold comfort to the man who feels he has become obsolete.

From The Daily Beast

Life has few direr disenchanters than the morning smells of obsolete tobacco, relics though they be of hesternal beatitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in the same scene, time will alter every form, and render the exquisite polish of last year, obsolete rudeness next year.

From Project Gutenberg

Faith founded on ancient authority is active still, but promises to become obsolete.

From Project Gutenberg

He also revives obsolete words, without any apparent reason.

From Project Gutenberg

It is believed that after four years experience of administration in Mesopotamia they would now vote this theory obsolete.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antiquated
• archaic
• out-of-date
• outmoded