Top 25 Slang For Obsolete – Meaning & Usage

In a rapidly evolving world, some words and phrases become obsolete before we even realize it. But fear not, we’ve got you covered. Our team has scoured the linguistic landscape to bring you a curated list of the most interesting and amusing slang for obsolete terms. Get ready to chuckle and maybe even reminisce as we explore the language of yesteryear in this engaging listicle.

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1. Antiquated

This word refers to something that is outdated or no longer in use. It often implies that the item or concept is from a previous era or time period.

For example, “That computer is so antiquated, it can’t even run the latest software.”
In a discussion about fashion, someone might say, “Bell-bottom jeans are considered antiquated nowadays.”
A person describing their grandparents’ house might say, “Their decor is quite antiquated, with lots of vintage furniture.”

2. Archaic

This term describes something that is extremely old or belongs to a previous historical period. It suggests that the item or concept is no longer relevant or commonly used.

For instance, “The use of typewriters is considered archaic in the age of computers.”
In a discussion about language, someone might say, “Shakespearean English is archaic compared to modern English.”
A person describing a cultural practice might say, “The ritual they perform is archaic and has been abandoned by most societies.”

3. Defunct

This word describes something that is no longer in operation or functioning. It often implies that the item or concept has become obsolete or is no longer needed.

For example, “The company has gone bankrupt, and its website is now defunct.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “Floppy disks are defunct and can no longer be used in modern computers.”
A person describing an old amusement park might say, “The park closed down years ago and is now defunct.”

4. Outmoded

This term refers to something that is no longer fashionable or in style. It suggests that the item or concept has been replaced by something newer or more modern.

For instance, “The use of pagers is outmoded with the prevalence of smartphones.”
In a discussion about transportation, someone might say, “Horse-drawn carriages are outmoded and have been replaced by cars.”
A person describing a fashion trend might say, “Wearing shoulder pads is outmoded and belongs to the 80s.”

5. Obsolescent

This word describes something that is in the process of becoming obsolete or no longer in use. It suggests that the item or concept is gradually being replaced by something newer or more advanced.

For example, “Landline phones are obsolescent as more people switch to using mobile phones.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “CDs are obsolescent with the rise of streaming services.”
A person describing a dying language might say, “The language spoken by this tribe is obsolescent and is only known by a few elderly people.”

6. Passé

This term refers to something that is no longer fashionable or relevant. It suggests that the thing in question is old-fashioned and behind the times.

For example, “Bell-bottom jeans are so passé.”
In a discussion about technology, one might say, “Using a flip phone is so passé.”
A person might comment on a fashion trend, saying, “That hairstyle is so passé.”

7. Superannuated

This word describes something that is no longer useful or effective due to its age or obsolescence. It implies that the thing has become outdated or surpassed by newer alternatives.

For instance, “VHS tapes are superannuated in the age of streaming.”
In a conversation about technology, someone might say, “Floppy disks are superannuated.”
A person might comment on an old car, saying, “That model is superannuated.”

8. Fossilized

This term refers to something that is extremely old-fashioned or outdated. It suggests that the thing in question belongs to a distant past and is no longer relevant or useful.

For example, “That slang term is fossilized; no one uses it anymore.”
In a discussion about fashion, someone might say, “Wearing corsets is so fossilized.”
A person might comment on a technology, saying, “Using a typewriter is fossilized.”

9. Antediluvian

This word describes something that is extremely old or outdated. It implies that the thing in question is from a time long before the present and is no longer relevant or useful.

For instance, “That book is antediluvian; it was written centuries ago.”
In a conversation about technology, someone might say, “Using a rotary phone is antediluvian.”
A person might comment on a fashion trend, saying, “That style is antediluvian.”

10. Antiquarian

This term refers to something that is old-fashioned or outdated. It suggests that the thing in question belongs to a previous era and is no longer commonly used or valued.

For example, “He collects antiquarian books from the 19th century.”
In a discussion about music, someone might say, “Vinyl records are considered antiquarian.”
A person might comment on a style of dress, saying, “That outfit is antiquarian.”

11. Dated

When something is described as “dated,” it means that it is no longer fashionable or up-to-date. It refers to something that is considered old-fashioned or out of style.

For example, “That hairstyle is so dated. No one wears it anymore.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “Using floppy disks is so dated. We have USB drives now.”
A person might comment on a fashion trend, saying, “Bell-bottom jeans are making a dated comeback.”

12. Extinct

When something is described as “extinct,” it means that it no longer exists or is no longer in use. It refers to something that has completely disappeared or become obsolete.

For instance, “The typewriter is an extinct technology. No one uses it anymore.”
In a conversation about animals, someone might say, “The dodo bird is an extinct species.”
A person might comment on a discontinued product, saying, “That brand of soda is extinct. You can’t find it anywhere.”

13. Behind the times

When something or someone is described as “behind the times,” it means that they are not up-to-date or are not keeping up with the latest trends or developments. It refers to being outdated or out of touch.

For example, “My grandparents still use a landline phone. They’re really behind the times.”
In a discussion about fashion, someone might say, “She’s always wearing outdated clothes. She’s really behind the times.”
A person might comment on a company’s outdated technology, saying, “Their software is so behind the times. They need to update it.”

14. Old hat

When something is described as “old hat,” it means that it is outdated or no longer considered fashionable or trendy. It refers to something that is no longer new or exciting.

For instance, “Using a flip phone is so old hat. Everyone has smartphones now.”
In a conversation about music, someone might say, “That style of music is old hat. It’s not popular anymore.”
A person might comment on a fashion trend, saying, “Wearing shoulder pads is old hat. It went out of style years ago.”

15. Outworn

When something is described as “outworn,” it means that it is no longer in use or relevant. It refers to something that has become obsolete or outdated.

For example, “VHS tapes are outworn. We have streaming services now.”
In a discussion about language, someone might say, “Using outdated slang is outworn. People won’t understand you.”
A person might comment on a traditional practice, saying, “That tradition is outworn. It doesn’t have a place in modern society.”

16. Rusty

When something is described as “rusty,” it means that it is old-fashioned or no longer relevant. This can refer to objects, ideas, or even skills.

For example, someone might say, “That old computer is so rusty, it can barely run any modern software.”
In a discussion about fashion trends, one might comment, “Bell-bottom jeans are making a comeback, but they used to be considered rusty.”
A person describing their outdated knowledge might say, “I haven’t used calculus in years, so my skills are a bit rusty.”

17. Bygone

When something is referred to as “bygone,” it means that it belongs to a previous time or era and is no longer present or in use.

For instance, a person might say, “Those bygone days of handwritten letters seem so distant now.”
In a conversation about technology, someone might mention, “The days of flip phones and dial-up internet are bygone.”
A person reminiscing about their childhood might say, “I miss the bygone era of Saturday morning cartoons.”

18. Out of commission

When something is “out of commission,” it means that it is not functioning or operational. This term is often used to describe machinery, vehicles, or other objects that are temporarily or permanently unable to be used.

For example, a person might say, “My car is out of commission until I can get it fixed.”
In a discussion about a broken computer, someone might comment, “My laptop crashed and is currently out of commission.”
A person describing a malfunctioning appliance might say, “The dishwasher is out of commission, so we have to wash dishes by hand for now.”

19. Out of vogue

When something is “out of vogue,” it means that it is no longer fashionable or popular. This term is often used in the context of fashion, trends, or styles that have fallen out of favor.

For instance, someone might say, “That style of clothing is so out of vogue right now.”
In a conversation about music, a person might comment, “Disco was popular in the ’70s, but it’s definitely out of vogue now.”
A person discussing home decor might say, “Shag carpeting used to be trendy, but now it’s considered out of vogue.”

20. Vintage

When something is described as “vintage,” it means that it is from a previous era and is considered valuable, desirable, or of high quality. This term is often used to describe clothing, furniture, or other items that are old but still in good condition.

For example, someone might say, “I love shopping for vintage clothes at thrift stores.”
In a discussion about cars, one might comment, “Vintage cars from the 1950s are highly sought after by collectors.”
A person describing their antique furniture might say, “My living room is filled with vintage pieces from the early 1900s.”

21. Antiquity

Refers to a period of time in the distant past, often associated with historical artifacts or practices that are no longer in use.

For example, a historian might say, “This artifact dates back to antiquity, around 2000 BC.”
In a discussion about ancient civilizations, someone might mention, “The pyramids of Egypt are a testament to the greatness of antiquity.”
A person describing outdated technology might say, “This computer is from the days of antiquity, it’s practically a relic.”

22. Prehistoric

Refers to a time period before written records were kept, often associated with dinosaurs and early human ancestors.

For instance, a paleontologist might say, “These fossilized bones are from the prehistoric era, millions of years old.”
In a discussion about evolution, someone might say, “Humans evolved from prehistoric creatures over millions of years.”
A person describing something extremely old might say, “This artifact is so old, it’s practically prehistoric.”

23. Outdated

Refers to something that is no longer considered modern or relevant due to advances in technology or changing trends.

For example, a person might say, “This phone is outdated, I need to upgrade to the latest model.”
In a discussion about fashion, someone might say, “That style of clothing is outdated, no one wears it anymore.”
A person describing old software might say, “This program is outdated and no longer compatible with newer operating systems.”

24. Yesterday’s news

Refers to something that is no longer current or important, often used to dismiss or downplay the significance of something.

For instance, a person might say, “That scandal is yesterday’s news, let’s move on to more important topics.”
In a discussion about current events, someone might say, “That story was big last week, but now it’s yesterday’s news.”
A person describing old gossip might say, “I heard that rumor months ago, it’s yesterday’s news now.”

25. Old-school

Refers to something that is done or designed in a way that is reminiscent of the past, often associated with nostalgia or a sense of nostalgia.

For example, a person might say, “I prefer old-school video games over the latest ones, they have a certain charm.”
In a discussion about music, someone might say, “I love listening to old-school hip-hop, it reminds me of my youth.”
A person describing a traditional teaching method might say, “Our school still uses old-school textbooks, even though digital resources are available.”