Word
antiquated
Phoneticsan·ti·quat·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæntəˌkweɪtɪd/
UK/ˈæntɪkwˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
adj. very old-fashioned and no longer useful or modern. You use this to describe things like old technology or laws that do not fit today's world.
adj. outdated or obsolete; belonging to an earlier period and no longer considered effective or appropriate. Often used to describe systems, machinery, or social attitudes.
Examples
“The office still uses an antiquated filing system.”
“Many critics argue that the country's antiquated tax laws need a complete overhaul to reflect the modern digital economy.”
“The factory struggled to remain competitive while relying on antiquated machinery that required constant maintenance and consumed far more energy than contemporary alternatives.”
Examples
simple
“The office still uses an antiquated filing system.”
contextual
“Many critics argue that the country's antiquated tax laws need a complete overhaul to reflect the modern digital economy.”
complex
“The factory struggled to remain competitive while relying on antiquated machinery that required constant maintenance and consumed far more energy than contemporary alternatives.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“The government will therefore introduce a bill at the earliest possible opportunity to correct this antiquated and archaic anomaly.” “I expected the medical palmistry – so to say – to then dissipate, to become antiquated, yet to my utter surprise it did not.” Etymology
From antiquate + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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