What does obsolete mean?
Obsolete describes something that is no longer in current use, production, or acceptance. The word is especially common in technical and historical contexts, such as obsolete machinery, software, methods, or terminology. It implies that a newer or more effective alternative has taken the old thing’s place, although it does not necessarily mean that the older item has completely disappeared. In linguistics, obsolete can refer to a word or grammatical form that belonged to an earlier stage of a language but is no longer normally used. Compared with the broader word outdated, obsolete tends to suggest a more definite break with current practice. It should also be distinguished from obsolescent, which describes something that is becoming outdated while remaining in use.
adjectiveNo longer in current use, production, or acceptance; outdated. An obsolete thing may have been replaced by something more modern, more efficient, or more widely accepted.
- No longer in current use or production.
- No longer regarded as current, relevant, or effective, especially because it has been replaced by something newer.
- Linguistically belonging to an earlier stage of a language and no longer normally used.
"The museum displayed a series of obsolete printing methods alongside newer technologies."
"The company phased out its obsolete manufacturing equipment."
"The novel contains several obsolete expressions that may puzzle modern readers."
Obsolete is more than simply old: it describes something whose place in the modern world has been taken over by a newer alternative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does obsolete come from?
Obsolete comes from Latin obsoletus, meaning “old” or “obsolete,” and entered English through French in the 16th century. The Latin word is related to obsolescere, “to grow old” or “become obsolete.” English later developed the related forms obsolescence, obsolescent, and obsolesce from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How obsolete is actually used
The term is usually neutral and technical in reference to equipment, systems, practices, or methods, although it can sound dismissive when applied to people, ideas, or cultural traditions. It is distinct from obsolescent, which suggests that something is in the process of becoming outdated rather than already having been replaced.
Easily confused with obsolete
Obsolete means no longer in current use, whereas obsolescent means becoming outdated but still in use.
Outdated is a general term for something old-fashioned, while obsolete more specifically suggests that it has been replaced or abandoned.