outdated
owt-DAY-tid
/ˌaʊtˈdeɪtɪd/
No longer current or fashionable; old-fashioned.
A very common and general term. It can apply to anything from fashion to information to technology. It doesn't necessarily imply non-functionality, just a lack of currency.
The story behind the word. "Outdated" is a straightforward English compound word, combining "out" and "date." It literally means "beyond its date" or "past its due date" for being current. The concept of something being "out of date" has been around for centuries, but the specific compound "outdated" became common in the 20th century, especially with the acceleration of technological and cultural changes.
Word relationships
- old-fashioned: No longer current or modern.
- antiquated: Old-fashioned or outdated.
- obsolete: No longer produced or used.
- current: Belonging to the present time.
- modern: Relating to the present or recent times.
- up-to-date: Incorporating the latest information or developments.
Commonly confused with
- obsolete: "Outdated" means no longer current or fashionable. "Obsolete" means no longer produced or used, often implying replacement by something superior. An outdated phone might still work, but an obsolete phone is likely no longer supported or functional.
Word family
- outdate (verb): to make something outdated.
Collocations
- completely outdated
- somewhat outdated
- outdated information
- outdated methods
- outdated technology
- outdated fashion
Example sentences
- "Her fashion sense was considered quite outdated by her trendy friends." Describing someone's style.
- "The textbook contained some outdated information about space exploration." Referring to information in a textbook.
- "Many people still use outdated operating systems, which can pose security risks." Discussing computer security.
Memory hook
"OUT-DATED" – the information is out past its date of relevance. Past its date
When not to use
While versatile, for more specific situations, words like "obsolete" (no longer useful/replaced) or "archaic" (very old, ancient) might be more precise.
Fun facts
- The phrase "out of date" has been used since the 17th century to describe things that are no longer current, but "outdated" as a single adjective is a more recent coinage.
Related words
Explore more words
behind the times, dilapidated, malfunction, anachronism, modernize, prehistoric
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