Use obsolete for tools, systems, laws, words, or ideas that have fallen out of use or been superseded.
Use obsolete for tools, systems, laws, words, or ideas that have fallen out of use or been superseded.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The phone is old, so it is obsolete for everyone. | The phone is old, but it may not be obsolete for everyone. |
| The obsolete of the software happened quickly. | The obsolescence of the software happened quickly. |
| This obsolete rule still applies today. | This outdated rule still applies today. |
Use obsolete as a transitive verb when one development makes an older thing no longer useful or current.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The old software obsoleted after the update. | The old software became obsolete after the update. |
| The new law obsolete the old rules. | The new law obsoletes the old rules. |
| The manager obsoleted the workers. | The manager replaced the workers. |
Use obsolete when something has passed out of use or has been superseded, and use obsolescence for the state or process.
The obsolete of the device is wrong. Use the obsolescence of the device for the noun form.
From Latin obsolescere, meaning “to fall into disuse,” through French obsolète.
What does obsolete mean?
Obsolete means no longer used, no longer useful, or replaced by something newer or better.
Is obsolete stronger than outdated?
Often yes. Outdated can still be usable, while obsolete usually suggests that something has been superseded or has fallen out of use.
Can obsolete be a verb?
Yes. To obsolete something is to make it outdated or unnecessary, usually by replacing it with something newer.
What is the noun form of obsolete?
The usual noun is obsolescence, as in planned obsolescence or software obsolescence.
What is the opposite of obsolete?
Common opposites of obsolete include current, modern, up-to-date, and contemporary.
How do you pronounce obsolete?
Obsolete is pronounced /ˌɑːbsəˈliːt/.
What does obsoleted mean?
Obsoleted means made obsolete, as when a new standard replaces an older one.
Where does obsolete come from?
Obsolete comes from Latin obsolescere, meaning “to fall into disuse,” through French obsolète.
Is obsolete used for words?
Yes. An obsolete word is one that is no longer in ordinary use.