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Definition of obsolescent

obsolescent

/ˌɑːb.səˈlɛs.ənt/
ob · so · les · cent
Adverb:obsolescently
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obsolescent Lexical Profile

obsolescent Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

In the process of becoming obsolete; gradually falling into disuse or going out of date.

Example

"The company is upgrading its servers to replace the obsolescent hardware before it fails completely."

2

Gradually disappearing, imperfectly developed, or becoming indistinct as an organism matures (in biology, of an anatomical structure or marking).

Example

"In mature specimens of this beetle species, the dorsal stripes are obsolescent and barely visible to the naked eye."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for obsolescent
Antonyms
View all antonyms for obsolescent

Word Nuance & Usage

"Obsolescent" refers to something that is currently in the process of falling out of use, whereas "obsolete" describes something that has already gone completely out of use.

• Rhymes for obsolescent

• Nearby Words

obsessiveness
obsidian
obsolescence
obsolescent
obsolete
obsoleteness
obstacle

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-18th century from Latin obsolēscentem, the present participle of obsolēscere ('to grow old, wear out, or fall into disuse'), formed from ob- ('against, away') and solēre ('to be accustomed').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Obsolescent. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/obsolescent
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