What does outdatedly mean?
“Outdatedly” is an adverb meaning in an outdated manner, with emphasis on how something is done, presented, or perceived. It is formed from “outdated,” an adjective describing what is no longer current, modern, or fashionable, and the adverb-forming suffix “-ly.” The word can characterize a style, manner, performance, design, or piece of writing: for example, a production may appear “outdatedly formal,” or an interface may be described as “outdatedly cumbersome.” Its connotations are generally neutral but often suggest something consciously dated, old-fashioned, or out of step with contemporary taste. Because it is fairly uncommon, writers often reach for more familiar alternatives such as “in an old-fashioned way” or “in a dated manner.” Nevertheless, “outdatedly” is useful when the manner of outdatedness itself needs to be emphasized, especially in criticism, cultural description, and historical comparison.
adverbIn an outdated manner; in a way that is no longer current, modern, or fashionable.
- In an outdated manner; in a way that is no longer current, modern, or fashionable.
"The stage production was painted in an outdatedly formal style."
"Her costume made the historical drama look outdatedly theatrical."
"The software still has an outdatedly cumbersome interface."
“Outdatedly” is the rare adverb that lets you describe not only what is old-fashioned, but exactly how something wears its old-fashioned style.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outdatedly come from?
“Outdatedly” was formed by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly” to “outdated,” itself built from “out-” and “date.” The verb “outdate” means to make or render obsolete by being newer or more current than something else. The element “date” ultimately derives from Latin datum, meaning “given,” through the language of dating and calendrical reckoning. “Outdate,” “dated,” and “dating” therefore belong to the same lexical family, while “outdatedly” specifically forms an adverb from “outdated.”
How outdatedly is actually used
This adverb is relatively uncommon and is more readily encountered in literary, descriptive, or deliberately period-conscious writing than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with outdatedly
“Outdated” is an adjective describing something that is no longer current or fashionable, whereas “outdatedly” is an adverb describing the manner in which something is done or presented.