outdated

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   No longer useful or suitable because newer things or ideas have replaced it.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun or after be: outdated software, the software is outdated.

   Patterns

   • be outdated
   • become outdated
   • an outdated something

   The school still uses outdated computers.

   Her ideas about work seemed outdated to the younger staff.

   The map is outdated and does not show the new road.

2. 2adjectivecomparabledisapproving

   Old-fashioned in style or attitude and out of step with current taste or values.

   Grammar: Often applied to attitudes, fashions and rules: outdated beliefs.

   Patterns

   • sound outdated
   • look outdated

   The rules felt outdated for a modern company.

   His jokes sounded outdated and a bit rude.

   The kitchen looks outdated with its orange tiles.

Word forms

Common combinations

outdated technology

The hospital struggled with outdated technology.

outdated information

The website showed outdated information about prices.

outdated attitudes

The film challenges outdated attitudes about age.

seem outdated

Paper forms seem outdated now.

become outdated

Phones become outdated within a few years.

Synonyms and how they differ

obsolete

Obsolete means no longer used at all, while outdated means still around but behind the times.

old-fashioned

Old-fashioned describes style and can be affectionate, whereas outdated is more critical and practical.

antiquated

Antiquated is stronger and more formal, suggesting very old and useless.

passé

Passé means no longer fashionable and is more about trends than practical use.

Opposites

Word family

date verb

to show signs of age

update verb

to make more modern

outdate verb

to make old-fashioned, rare

up-to-date adjective

including the newest information

Commonly confused: outdated or outmoded?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “outdated”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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