What does "obsolete" mean?

1. (no longer used) no longer used because something newer and better exists. 2. (biology) describing a part of a plant or animal that is not fully developed or is disappearing. 3. (to make outdated) to make something old-fashioned or no longer useful.

How do you use "obsolete"?

Usually placed before the noun or after a linking verb like 'become'. Used specifically in biological and anatomical descriptions. This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.

obsolete

adj. · v.

US //ˈɑbsəˌɫit// UK //ˈɒbsəlˌiːt// ob·so·lete

1 no longer used (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

no longer used because something newer and better exists.

no longer in use or practice; discarded in favour of a more modern or efficient alternative.

Example

The old floppy disks became obsolete once everyone started using USB drives.

Example

The rapid development of satellite navigation systems rendered traditional paper road maps virtually obsolete for the average driver.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun or after a linking verb like 'become'.
- outdated
- outmoded
- expired
2 biology (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

describing a part of a plant or animal that is not fully developed or is disappearing.

referring to an organ or part that is imperfectly developed or has become indistinct through evolution.

Example

The bird has obsolete wings that it can no longer use for flying.

Example

In certain cave-dwelling species, the eyes have become obsolete over generations of living in total darkness.

Usage

Used specifically in biological and anatomical descriptions.
- vestigial
- rudimentary
- developed
- distinct

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3 to make outdated (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Technical

to make something old-fashioned or no longer useful.

to cause something to become outdated or to replace it with a newer version.

Example

New software updates often obsolete older hardware models.

Example

The company's strategy was to obsolete its own products every two years to maintain a dominant position in the tech market.

Usage

This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
- supersede
- replace
- renew
- update

Origin

Borrowed from Latin obsolētus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolēscere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.