obsolete

Obsolete is an adjective used to describe something that is no longer produced or used, or that has fallen out of use because newer alternatives are available. In common usage, an object, method, practice, or standard becomes obsolete when it fails to meet current needs or expectations.

The term derives from Latin obsoletus, from ob- 'toward' + solere 'to be in the habit of, to be accustomed', with the sense of 'grown old, decayed'. It entered English in the late Middle Ages and acquired its current sense in the modern period.

Obsolescence can apply to technology, infrastructure, vocabulary, laws, and practices. It is not necessarily a sign of malfunction but of being superseded, incompatible with current standards, or economically impractical.

Causes of obsolescence include new innovations, changes in standards or consumer preferences, and economic factors. Planned obsolescence describes a deliberate design choice to shorten a product's useful life, while perceived obsolescence refers to consumer perception that a product is outdated.

Examples include physical media formats such as floppy disks and VHS tapes that have become obsolete for most purposes. Dial-up modems and CRT monitors are largely replaced by broadband and flat-panel displays. Some software formats or programming languages become obsolete as platforms evolve.

Related terms include archaic, out of date, superseded, and obsolescence.