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 of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: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 out of date; unfashionable or outmoded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

Proposition 3: Deletes obsolete language in the California Constitution that states marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

From Los Angeles Times

And we’ve seen from the inflated housing market that our decades-long obsession with turning real estate into an investment has actually rendered that option obsolete for younger generations.

From Salon

“The city has obsolete technology, severe staff shortages and more priorities than it can possibly accomplish,” said one city official not authorized to talk outside of the post-Paris summit.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1990s, as the count of cars and buses increased, the then Communist government in the state called trams “obsolete” and wanted to get rid of them.

From BBC

People do like screens and close-ups, which make opera glasses obsolete.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• out-of-date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