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Meaning & use

outmoded

adjective·Academicdisapproving

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UK/ˌaʊtˈməʊdɪd/
US/ˌaʊtˈmoʊdɪd/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    No longer in fashion or no longer suited to modern needs, because newer ideas or equipment have replaced it.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: outmoded ideas, the system is outmoded.

    Patterns

    • outmoded ideas
    • be outmoded

    The office still used an outmoded filing system.

    Critics said the school's outmoded teaching methods bored the pupils.

    Her views on work were outmoded and out of touch.

  2. adjectivecomparableold-fashioned

    Unfashionable in style, looking like it belongs to an earlier time.

    Grammar: Used about clothing and design; can be mildly disapproving.

    Patterns

    • outmoded style

    He wore an outmoded suit with wide lapels.

    The hotel's outmoded decor was brown and orange.

    Many people thought the outmoded hairstyle looked silly.

Word forms

comparativemore outmoded
superlativemost outmoded

Common combinations

outmoded technology
The factory relied on outmoded technology.
outmoded ideas
Outmoded ideas about careers held her back.
outmoded system
The outmoded system was replaced last year.
outmoded practice
Bloodletting is an outmoded practice.
seem outmoded
Paper forms now seem outmoded.

Synonyms and how they differ

outdated
Outdated is the plainer, more common word and is less severe than outmoded.
obsolete
Obsolete means no longer used at all, which is stronger than outmoded.
old-fashioned
Old-fashioned can be neutral or even affectionate, while outmoded usually criticizes.
antiquated
Antiquated suggests extremely old and out of touch, and sounds harsher.

Opposites

modernup-to-datecurrent

Word family

mode noun
a fashion or way of doing something
modish adjective
stylish and fashionable
outmode verb
to make out of fashion
outmodedness noun
the state of being out of date

Commonly confused: outmoded or outdated? outmoded or out of mode?

outmoded vs outdated

Outdated is similar but more everyday; outmoded implies being superseded by something better.

outmoded vs out of mode

Not a normal phrase; use out of fashion or outmoded.

Practice

The factory's ___ machines could not keep up with modern demand.

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