Obsolete

Obsolete describes something that is no longer produced or used; out of date. It refers to something that was once relevant and practical but has been replaced by newer or more efficient alternatives due to technological advancements, changing tastes, or evolving needs. An obsolete item is effectively no longer in general use, often existing only as a relic of the past or in specialized applications. It suggests a permanent state of being outmoded rather than a temporary lull in popularity or production.

Obsolete meaning with examples

• The floppy disk drive is now an obsolete technology, having been superseded by USB drives and cloud storage solutions for portable data storage, rendering it a forgotten relic of the computer's earlier days.
• Typewriters are largely obsolete in modern offices, as computers and word processing software provide far more efficient and versatile methods of creating and editing documents, impacting many writing and editing practices.
• The video rental store, once a thriving business, has become practically obsolete due to the rise of streaming services, giving way to new viewing experiences which have shifted home entertainment landscapes.
• Landline telephones are becoming increasingly obsolete as more and more people rely on mobile phones for their primary mode of communication, changing family connection patterns with easier methods of communication.