Meaning & use
abandomware
Last updated
UK/əˈbændəʊˌweə/
US/əˈbændoʊˌwer/
Meaning
noununcountablecomputinginformal
Old computer software, often games, that its owner no longer sells, supports or updates.
Grammar: Mass noun: some abandonware is still protected by copyright.
Fans keep classic abandonware alive on retro websites.
The game is abandonware, since the studio closed years ago.
Downloading abandonware can still break copyright law.
Common combinations
- abandonware game
- The abandonware game still runs on modern computers.
- abandonware site
- The abandonware site hosts old titles.
- classic abandonware
- He collects classic abandonware from the 1990s.
- treat as abandonware
- The company no longer treats the title as abandonware.
Synonyms and how they differ
- legacy software
- Legacy software may still be used and supported, while abandonware is dropped by its owner.
- orphan work
- Orphan work is a wider copyright term for any creation with an unknown owner.
- freeware
- Freeware is deliberately released free, unlike abandonware.
Opposites
supported software
Word family
- abandon verb
- to give up on something
- software noun
- computer programs
- abandonment noun
- the act of giving up
Commonly confused: abandomware or freeware?
abandomware vs freeware
Freeware is offered free by its owner, while abandonware is only free in practice because it is neglected.
Practice
What does 'abandonware' refer to?
Choose one answer.
Abandonware is neglected old software. Freeware is given away deliberately.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abandomware”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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