obsolete

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

See synonyms for: obsolete obsoleted obsoletes obsoleting on Thesaurus.com

adjective

no longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression.
of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.

(of a linguistic form) no longer in use, especially, out of use for at least the past century.: Compare archaic.
effaced by wearing down or away.
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.

to make obsolete by replacing with something newer or better; antiquate: Automation has obsoleted many factory workers.

Origin of obsolete

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

usage note For obsolete

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.

Other words for obsolete

2	antiquated, ancient, old

See synonyms for obsolete on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for obsolete

1, 2	new, modern

See antonyms for obsolete on Thesaurus.com

Other words from obsolete

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

Words that may be confused with obsolete

1. archaic, obsolescent, obsolete
2. obsolescent, obsolete

Words Nearby obsolete

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obsolete in a sentence

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.
Morning Report: The Stormwater Deficit Is a Big Deal | Voice of San Diego | February 8, 2021 | 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.
New coronavirus variants accelerate race to make sure vaccines keep up | Carolyn Y. Johnson, Laurie McGinley, Joel Achenbach | January 26, 2021 | 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.
The Port of San Diego Had Its Own Smart Streetlight Program | Jesse Marx | December 21, 2020 | 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.
In the galleries: Perspectives on blending culture and identity | Mark Jenkins | December 11, 2020 | Washington Post
The US federal minimum wage is becoming increasingly obsolete.
How much do America’s minimum-wage workers actually earn? | Michelle Cheng | December 10, 2020 | Quartz

But their weapons are becomingly increasingly obsolete—and that has some in the U.S. Air Force spooked.
Pentagon Worries That Russia Can Now Outshoot U.S. Stealth Jets | Dave Majumdar | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
That data (collected in 2012 and 2013) is obsolete: Jesse Logan confirms both areas are “now showing significant mortality.”
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear | Doug Peacock | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The “Computer Rock” tunes, with references to BASIC programming, were almost immediately rendered obsolete.
Schoolhouse Rock: A Trojan Horse of Knowledge and Power | Jason Lynch | September 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And fashion editor Lynn Yaeger thinks print magazines are becoming "obsolete."
Kate Hudson Defends Butt Implants; Cara Delevingne Is Designing For DKNY | The Fashion Beast Team | June 10, 2014 | 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.
Millennials Have A Lot of Problems, But Tech Isn't One | Kristen Soltis Anderson | May 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Life has few direr disenchanters than the morning smells of obsolete tobacco, relics though they be of hesternal beatitude.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
Even in the same scene, time will alter every form, and render the exquisite polish of last year, obsolete rudeness next year.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
Faith founded on ancient authority is active still, but promises to become obsolete.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles Morris
He also revives obsolete words, without any apparent reason.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 67, Number 414, April, 1850 | Various
It is believed that after four years experience of administration in Mesopotamia they would now vote this theory obsolete.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram

British Dictionary definitions for obsolete

obsolete

/ (ˈɒbsəˌliːt, ˌɒbsəˈliːt) /

adjective

out of use or practice; not current
out of date; unfashionable or outmoded

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

Origin of obsolete

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

usage For obsolete

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

Derived forms of obsolete

obsoletely, adverb
obsoleteness, noun

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

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