obsolete
gb/ˈɑbsəlˌit/ us/ˈɑbsəlˌit/
B2
English
~ 6000
elavult, idejétmúlt, csökevényes, vesztigiális, elavulttá tesz
B2
1
elavult
B2
idejétmúlt
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] is or becomes obsolete
Many people worry that artificial intelligence will make some jobs obsolete.
Sokan aggódnak amiatt, hogy a mesterséges intelligencia egyes munkákat elavulttá tesz.
The company still uses an obsolete computer system from the 1990s.
A cég még mindig egy elavult, az 1990-es évekből származó számítógépes rendszert használ.
Printed phone books have become largely obsolete in the age of smartphones.
The new software renders the old manual process obsolete.
Some of these regulations are completely obsolete and need to be rewritten.
Learner examples
My old phone is obsolete, so I bought a new one.
A régi telefonom elavult, ezért vettem egy újat.
DVDs are becoming obsolete because people watch movies online.
A DVD-k kezdenek elavulttá válni, mert az emberek online néznek filmeket.
This rule is obsolete and does not help us today.
The factory closed because its machines were obsolete.
New technology can make old skills obsolete.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "obsolete" to describe people (e.g., *"My grandfather is obsolete"*), which can sound rude or unnatural. It is usually used for things like technology, rules, methods, or ideas, not for people. Another confusion is with "ancient": "ancient" means very, very old in time, while "obsolete" means not used anymore, even if it is not very old.
Meaning
no longer used or useful
Collocations
obsolete technology
|become obsolete
|render something obsolete
|largely obsolete
|virtually obsolete
|made obsolete by
Synonyms
outdated (Very close in meaning; common in everyday speech for styles, ideas, and technology.)
|
out-of-date (Informal and common; often used about information or fashion rather than machines.)
|
old-fashioned (Adds a stronger feeling of being behind the times or not stylish, especially for clothes and habits.)
Antonyms
modern (Emphasizes being current and in line with present time and style.)
|
up-to-date (Focuses on being current with the latest information, technology, or standards.)
Themes
technology
|business
|daily life
|history
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not used or needed now because there is something newer or better.
No longer used, produced, or needed, especially because something newer or better has replaced it.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
csökevényes
C1
vesztigiális
C2
Usage pattern:
obsolete [organ/structure] in [species]
In whales, the small bones where legs used to attach are considered obsolete structures.
A bálnáknál azokat a kis csontokat, amelyekhez valaha a lábak kapcsolódtak, csökevényes struktúráknak tekintik.
Some scientists describe the human appendix as an obsolete organ, though its role is still debated.
Egyes tudósok az emberi vakbelet csökevényes szervnek írják le, bár a szerepe még vitatott.
These obsolete anatomical features provide evidence for how the species has evolved over time.
Learner examples
The teacher said our tailbone is an almost obsolete body part.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy a farokcsontunk nagyrészt csökevényes testrész.
Scientists study obsolete organs to understand evolution.
A tudósok csökevényes szerveket tanulmányoznak, hogy megértsék az evolúciót.
An obsolete structure is a body part that does not have a clear job now.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this technical meaning is different from the everyday sense of "obsolete". In biology, it does not simply mean "old"; it describes a body part that has lost its original function or is much smaller than before.
Meaning
reduced or unused body part
Collocations
obsolete structure
|obsolete organ
|obsolete anatomical feature
|nearly obsolete in humans
Synonyms
vestigial (The standard technical term in biology; often preferred in scientific writing.)
Antonyms
functional (Highlights that the organ or structure is actively used and has a clear role.)
Themes
science
|biology
|body
Definition
Used in science for a body part that is very small or not used anymore.
In biology or anatomy, said of a body part or structure that has lost its original function or is only faintly developed.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] obsoletes [something]
Cloud services increasingly obsolete traditional on-site servers.
A felhőszolgáltatások egyre inkább elavulttá teszik a hagyományos helyszíni szervereket.
The new safety regulations will obsolete several older production methods.
Az új biztonsági előírások több régebbi gyártási módszert is elavulttá tesznek.
Rapid innovation can obsolete a product line in just a few years.
Learner examples
New machines can obsolete old tools very fast.
Az új gépek nagyon gyorsan elavulttá tehetik a régi szerszámokat.
Online news may obsolete some printed newspapers.
Az online hírek egyes nyomtatott újságokat elavulttá tehetnek.
A better app could obsolete the one we use now.
Common mistake:
This verb form is rare, even for native speakers. Learners usually do better saying "make something obsolete" or "render something obsolete" instead of using "obsolete" as a verb.
Meaning
to make something obsolete
Collocations
technology that obsoletes
|obsoletes older systems
|quickly obsoletes existing products
Synonyms
supersede (More common in formal writing; stresses taking the place of something older or less effective.)
|
replace (More general and frequent; does not always imply the old thing is completely unused.)
Antonyms
modernize (Instead of pushing something out, it updates the existing thing to keep it useful.)
Themes
technology
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To cause something to stop being used because there is something newer or better.
To make something no longer used or needed, especially by introducing something newer or better.
Grammar
Dictionary form
obsolete
IPA
GB/ˈɑbsəlˌit/
US/ˈɑbsəlˌit/
Syllables & stress
ob - sol - ete (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ob)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: obsolete
Word family
Expressions
become obsolete
1/bɪkˈʌm ˈɑbsəlˌit/
fixed phrase
stop being used or needed
To stop being used or needed, usually because there is something newer or better.
Examples
- Many simple office jobs may become obsolete in the next decade.
- Some skills quickly become obsolete if you do not keep learning.
make something obsolete
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɑbsəlˌit/
fixed phrase
cause something to be obsolete
To cause something to not be used or needed anymore because there is something newer or better.
Examples
- Streaming services have made DVDs largely obsolete.
- Email has made many kinds of paper letters obsolete.
render something obsolete
1/ɹˈɛndɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɑbsəlˌit/
fixed phrase
formal
formally make something obsolete
To make something not used or needed anymore, used especially in formal or written English.
Examples
- The new software will render the old booking system obsolete.
- Advances in medical imaging may eventually render some invasive tests obsolete.