What does obsolete mean?
Word: Obsolete
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Obsolete means no longer used because something newer and better has replaced it; out of date.
Synonyms: outdated, old-fashioned
Antonyms: current
How do you spell obsolete?
Syllables: ob - so - lete
Tricky part: The middle vowel is o: obso, not obse. Obselete is the slip almost everyone makes.
Watch out for: obselete, obsalete
Memory tip: Say 'oh, so late!': obsolete things came so long ago that it is too late to use them, and so has an o.
Obsolete in a sentence
Example 1: Cassette players became obsolete once music moved onto phones.
Example 2: Grandpa still keeps his obsolete radio on the shelf.
Example 3: Some old coins are obsolete, but collectors love them.
Fun Fact
Floppy disks are obsolete now, yet the save button in many computer programs still shows a picture of one.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
obsolete
a) ancient
b) broken
c) modern
d) faded
Show answer
c) modern. Modern things are new and in use, unlike obsolete ones.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) museum
b) antique
c) obsolite
d) ancient
Show answer
c) obsolite. The vowel just before the final t is e, not i.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
lobseote
a) resolute
b) obsolete
c) absolute
d) obstacle
Show answer
b) obsolete. Absolute and resolute have a u, and obstacle has an a and a c.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
obsollete
a) o
b) l
c) s
d) t
Show answer
b) l. One l is enough in this word.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which pair shows an obsolete thing and what replaced it?
a) a plate and a spoon
b) a typewriter and a computer
c) a pencil and an eraser
d) a shoe and a sock
Show answer
b) a typewriter and a computer
2. Why did the telegram become obsolete in most countries?
a) phones and text messages did the job faster
b) the world ran out of paper
c) people stopped sending any news
d) every post office closed down
Show answer
a) phones and text messages did the job faster
