obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'obsolete' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is no longer in use or out of date. Example sentence: "Many of the technologies that were widely used a decade ago have become obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In retrospect, the city council's pronouncements back then were as troubling as they are now: the books in question, it said, were "duplicates, outdated or otherwise obsolete".

The Guardian - Opinion

But at the same time, those recent warnings from the internet pioneer Vint Cerf about storage technologies becoming obsolete and the advent of a "digital dark age" highlight a profound fear: precious things are now only a corrupted hard drive or system upgrade away from being lost, for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The system ran on obsolete floppy discs and staff had to recycle old computers to keep the system running".

The Guardian

When Waze started it ran off PDAs, a now obsolete technology.

The Guardian

Reading has to be at the heart of the mix (I don't buy for a second the idea that books are obsolete).

The Guardian - Books

Obsolete provisions from as far back as the 13th century continue to survive long after they have ceased to serve any useful purpose.

The Guardian

Obviously some companies have the online reputation they deserve, but an unjustified, malicious or obsolete complaint may linger for years, blighting every new query.

The Guardian - Tech

One of the most interesting things about this second season is that the women are in charge and the men, formerly driving the creation of the PC, are now rendered powerless and almost obsolete.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Upgrade IT equipment: Most NGO computer systems are on obsolete operating systems and have major security vulnerabilities.

The Guardian

The referendum legislation is obsolete since both votes have already been held, resulting in the creation of the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly.

The Guardian

Announced at the Geneva International Motor Show, CarPlay is the next evolution of Apple's iOS in the Car, which connected iPhones to car stereos via the now obsolete docking connector that featured on iPhones and iPods up until the release of the iPhone 5 with the newer, smaller Lightning Connector.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obsolete", ensure that the context clearly indicates what has replaced the outdated item or concept. This provides a clearer understanding of the shift and its implications.

Common error

Avoid using "obsolete" when "deprecated" is more accurate. "Deprecated" often refers to features or functions in software that are still functional but discouraged for use and will be removed in future versions, whereas "obsolete" implies complete disuse.

Linguistic Context

The word "obsolete" primarily functions as an adjective describing a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it signifies something no longer in use or practice. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to cause something to become obsolete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "obsolete" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe something no longer in use, often due to advancements or changes in technology, practices, or societal norms. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It functions primarily as an adjective, but can also be used as a verb. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across various contexts, including news, business, and technology. While alternatives like "outdated" or "antiquated" exist, "obsolete" specifically highlights replacement by something more current or efficient. When using "obsolete", ensure clarity about what has replaced the outdated item to provide context. Avoid confusing it with "deprecated", which implies a feature is still functional but discouraged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outdated

Focuses on the aspect of being old and no longer current.

antiquated

Implies being old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern use.

outmoded

Highlights the fact that something is no longer fashionable or in style.

archaic

Suggests belonging to a much earlier period and being out of place in the present.

defunct

Indicates that something is no longer functioning or in existence.

discontinued

Emphasizes that something is no longer being produced or offered.

superseded

Implies that something has been replaced by something newer or better.

passe

Suggests that something is no longer fashionable or popular.

bygone

Refers to something that belongs to the past and is no longer relevant.

relic

Highlights something surviving from an earlier time, often of historical interest.

FAQs

How can I use "obsolete" in a sentence?

You can use "obsolete" to describe something that is no longer in use because it has been replaced by something newer or more efficient. For example, "Typewriters have become "obsolete" due to the advent of computers".

What can I say instead of "obsolete"?

You can use alternatives like "outdated", "antiquated", or "outmoded" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "completely obsolete"?

Yes, saying something is "completely obsolete" is correct. It emphasizes that the item or concept is entirely out of use and no longer relevant.

What's the difference between "obsolete" and "archaic"?

"Obsolete" typically refers to something that is no longer used because it has been replaced by something newer, while "archaic" refers to something that is very old and no longer in common use, often suggesting a historical context. In short, something "archaic" might still exist in certain settings, while something "obsolete" is generally replaced. For example, "archaic laws" vs "obsolete technology".