Word
obsolete
Phoneticsob·so·lete, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑbsəˌɫit/
UK/ˈɒbsəlˌiːt/
Definitions
01no longer used
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. no longer used because something newer and better exists.
adj. no longer in use or practice; discarded in favour of a more modern or efficient alternative.
“The old floppy disks became obsolete once everyone started using USB drives.”
“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'.
Antonyms
02biology
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describing a part of a plant or animal that is not fully developed or is disappearing.
adj. referring to an organ or part that is imperfectly developed or has become indistinct through evolution.
“The bird has obsolete wings that it can no longer use for flying.”
“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.
Synonyms
03to make outdated
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Technical
v. to make something old-fashioned or no longer useful.
v. to cause something to become outdated or to replace it with a newer version.
“New software updates often obsolete older hardware models.”
“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.
Real-World Examples
“Today, some believe artificial intelligence chatbots will finally make hold music obsolete, replacing it with automatic waiting agents, conversational voice bots and other technologies designed to eliminate queues.” “If the computing platform cannot be updated, or too many components fail, it may become obsolete long before the surrounding infrastructure reaches the end of its useful life.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/obsolete