obsoleteob‧so‧lete /ˈɒbsəliːt $ ˌɑːbsəˈliːt/ ●●○ adjective 
obsolete weapons computer hardware that quickly became obsolete Will computers render (=make) books obsolete?► see thesaurus at old-fashioned
WORD ORIGINobsolete
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin past participle of obsolescere ‘to grow old, become disused’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- obsolete technology
- a new type of 'Network Computer', which could make existing PCs obsolete within five years
- The old 5¼ inch floppy disks are now obsolete.
- For example, new antitank missiles, particularly when used from helicopters, are making main battle tanks obsolete.
- In that time, the all-important double-team has been rendered obsolete.
- In the breeding tank there are none, so his function becomes obsolete.
- In the minds of many, the Falls were obsolete.
- It briefly considers the prospects for extending the operational life of obsolete systems through physical restoration as well as logical simulation.
- Therefore, the advice of the efficient-market believers to select randomly becomes itself obsolete if everyone takes the advice!
- Those entries which are not marked as obsolete constitute the active population of the archive.
- Weapons that would have been invincible twenty years before are now vulnerable and obsolete.
THESAURUS
not considered modern or fashionable – used about styles of clothes, furniture etc, or about words and ideas: · The room was full of big old-fashioned furniture.· I can’t wear that dress – it’s too old-fashioned.· He had a lot of good old-fashioned values.
not containing the most recent information and therefore not useful: · This guidebook is completely out-of-date.
used about machines, equipment, or methods that are old-fashioned and have been replaced by better, more recent ones: · In today’s world, technology rapidly becomes outdated.· The accident was blamed on an outdated rail network.
used about styles etc that were fashionable until recently but now look old-fashioned: · The pictures in this book already look a bit dated.· I liked the food but the decor in the restaurant was very dated.
not fashionable and not popular with people anymore: · They lived in an unfashionable part of London.· The word ‘patriotic’ has become rather unfashionable these days.
old-fashioned – used about machines and equipment that are no longer being produced because better ones have been invented: · These days, you buy a computer and it’s almost immediately obsolete.· Many laboratories use obsolete equipment and do not receive enough funding.
formal old and not suitable for modern needs and conditions: · antiquated ideas about the constitution· an antiquated central heating system· antiquated technology
Longman Language Activatormachines/equipment old-fashioned machines and equipment have a design that is no longer modern: · He rides one of those old-fashioned bikes with high handlebars.· A lot of the machines at the factory are very old-fashioned.· Old-fashioned ceiling fans have been making a comeback as a cheap and reliable alternative to air conditioning.
use this about machines or equipment that use old-fashioned designs, and should be replaced with more modern ones: · It is hard to run a business with outdated equipment.· a rebel army, equipped only with outdated Russian weapons
use this about machines and equipment that are no longer being produced, and that seem old-fashioned because newer machines have been invented which can do the job much better: · The old 5¼ inch floppy disks are now obsolete.make something obsolete: · a new type of 'Network Computer', which could make existing PCs obsolete within five years
very old and old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern needs: · My mother's antiquated vacuum cleaner still works, believe it or not.· Hospitals suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment and shortages of medical supplies.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY computer hardware that quickly became obsolete Will computers render (=make) books obsolete?COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
no longer useful, because something newer and better has been invented: computer hardware that quickly became obsolete Will computers render (=make) books obsolete?· The Croydon design used a vertical falling piston against a nozzle and is now obsolete.· Newly made bombs would replace old, and now obsolete, weapons in the stockpile.· Zab finds herself using the now obsolete narrative conventions of the memoir.· But the editor's favourite word is now obsolete.
obsolete weapons computer hardware that quickly became obsolete Will computers render (=make) books obsolete?► see thesaurus at old-fashioned