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obsolescence

ob-suh-LES-uns /ˌɒbsəˈlɛsns/

nounC2GRE

technicalbusinessacademic

The process of becoming obsolete or no longer useful; the state of being outdated.

Can be 'planned obsolescence' (designed to become outdated) or 'technological obsolescence' (outdated by new tech). It's about a decline in utility or relevance, not necessarily physical decay.

The story behind the word. The word 'obsolescence' comes from the Latin verb 'obsolescere,' meaning 'to grow old, wear out, fall into disuse.' The prefix 'ob-' here means 'away' or 'off,' and 'solescere' relates to 'solere,' 'to be accustomed.' So, something 'obsolete' has gone 'away from custom' or 'fallen out of use' due to age or being superseded. The noun 'obsolescence' describes this process or state of becoming outdated.

Word relationships

antiquity: The quality of being ancient, but not necessarily useless.
outdatedness: The state of being old-fashioned or no longer current.
superannuation: More specific, often used for equipment or people retired due to age or becoming obsolete.

innovation: The introduction of new things, ideas, or methods.
relevance: The quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate.
longevity: Long existence or service.

Commonly confused with

decay: 'Decay' refers to physical decomposition or deterioration, while 'obsolescence' refers to becoming outdated or useless, often while still physically intact.

Word family

obsolete (adjective): no longer produced or used; out of date

Collocations

planned obsolescence
technological obsolescence
rapid obsolescence
risk of obsolescence
combat obsolescence

Example sentences

"The rapid pace of technological innovation often leads to the obsolescence of electronic devices within a few years." Discussing consumer electronics.
"Critics argue that planned obsolescence encourages excessive consumption and contributes to environmental waste." In an economics lecture.

Memory hook

Think of 'ob-so-less' – something becomes 'so less' useful or relevant that it's obsolete. So Less Useful

When not to use

Don't use it for something that is merely old but still perfectly functional and relevant. It implies a loss of usefulness or desirability.

Fun facts

The concept of 'planned obsolescence' was famously discussed by Vance Packard in his 1960 book 'The Waste Makers,' arguing that products were intentionally designed to fail or become unfashionable.
Software updates can sometimes lead to 'software obsolescence' for older hardware that can no longer run the latest versions.