obsolete

Definition

No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer).

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.

Example Sentences

• "Speedy, worldwide, accessible delivery of news through the Web has made newspapers obsolete."
• "Horses became obsolete means of transportation in cities in the first half of the twentieth century."
• "Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete."

Related Words