Word: obsolete (adjective)

Associations

"Obsolete" means something is old-fashioned or no longer used because there is something better or more modern now.

• A phone model can be obsolete if new phones have better features.
• Words can become obsolete if people stop using them.
• Technology like floppy disks is obsolete because we use USB drives now. A synonym is "outdated," but "obsolete" often means completely replaced or no longer useful, while "outdated" can mean just old or behind the times but still usable.

Substitution

You can use:

• outdated (less strong, may still be used)
• old-fashioned (focuses on style or trend)
• antiquated (very old, often not useful) Each changes the feeling: "obsolete" is stronger, meaning no longer useful.

Deconstruction

"Obsolete" comes from Latin "obsoletus," meaning worn out or grown old.

• "ob-" (prefix) means "away" or "against"
• "solere" (root) means "to be accustomed" Together, it means something no longer accustomed or used.

Inquiry

• Can you think of something in your life that became obsolete?
• How do you decide when to replace something obsolete?
• Are there things you still use even if others say they are obsolete? Why?