WordGarden.ioobsolescent
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɒbsəlˈɛsənt/
US
- /ˌɑbsəˈlɛsənt/
Meanings
Adjective
becoming obsolete or falling out of use
Beyond the definition
Imagine an old rotary phone sitting on a shelf - it still works, but everyone uses smartphones now. That phone is becoming obsolescent. It means something is gradually becoming outdated, less useful, or less common as newer things take its place. It's not quite "obsolete" yet, but it's clearly on the way out. Think of skills that are losing demand in the job market - they might be obsolescent even if some people still use them.
The word hints at a slow decline, like watching something fade away rather than suddenly disappear. It's often used to describe technologies, practices, or ideas that were once common but are now being replaced. A horse-drawn carriage is largely obsolescent in modern cities, though you might still see one for tourist rides.
The word obsolescent describes something that is in the process of becoming obsolete - outdated, no longer needed, or falling out of use. It's a subtle but important distinction. Something "obsolete" has already been replaced or is no longer current; obsolescent suggests a gradual decline, a fading away rather than an abrupt end.
Think about film photography. While digital cameras have largely taken over, some photographers still cherish and practice film – it's becoming obsolescent, not extinct. The word often applies to technologies (like typewriters or cassette tapes), but can also describe skills, ideas, or even social customs. A skill like handwriting might be considered obsolescent in a world dominated by keyboards, though still valuable for certain purposes.
The term often carries a sense of melancholy - a recognition that something once valued is slowly losing its relevance. It's often used to discuss social change and the steady march of progress. You might read about "obsolescent industries" struggling to adapt to new technologies or "obsolescent political ideologies" failing to connect with modern voters.
Obsolescent isn't a word you'd use very often in everyday conversation, but it's useful when you want to describe change with precision. It acknowledges that the path from usefulness to irrelevance is rarely sudden - more often, it's a slow, gradual process.
Examples
- 1
Office equipment
The office still uses obsolescent fax machines for a few legal forms.
- 2
Replacement planning
The company is replacing obsolescent equipment before parts become impossible to find.
- 3
Workplace skills
These skills are becoming obsolescent as more of the work is automated.
- 4
Not obsolete
The report describes the payment system as obsolescent, not yet obsolete.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- obsolescentadjective