obsolescence

/ˌɒbsəˈlesns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɑːbsəˈlesns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌäb-sə-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s/ (ame, mw)

obsolescence — noun

1. the state of no longer being useful or suitable because something newer has repl

1.名詞C2
釋義

the state of no longer being useful or suitable because something newer has replaced it.

例句

Ryo worried about the obsolescence of his design software after the update.

noun pattern: the obsolescence of something

Museum staff documented the obsolescence of film projectors as schools switched to tablets.

cause shown by replacement with newer technology

同義詞
  • outdatedness

    close in meaning, but more everyday and less formal

  • disuse

    stresses that people have stopped using something, not necessarily that a better version replaced it

  • redundancy

    often suggests something is no longer needed because another system already does the job

反義詞
  • relevance

    being still useful or important in the present

  • usefulness

    continuing to serve a practical purpose

  • currency

    being up to date and still in active use

文法句型

the obsolescence of something

rapid obsolescence

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'of' plus the thing being replaced. Common in academic, business, and technology writing rather than casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The obsolescence of my grandfather worries me.
✅My grandfather worries about getting old.
💡'obsolescence' is used for things, systems, or ideas that lose their use, not for people ageing.
❌This coat's obsolescence comes from the holes in it.
✅This coat is worn out because it has holes in it.
💡'obsolescence' means being replaced by something newer, not being physically damaged.

2. a business practice of making products wear out or seem old sooner than necessar

2.名詞C2
釋義

a business practice of making products wear out or seem old sooner than necessary so people will buy new ones.

例句

Mira blamed planned obsolescence for her printer failing just after the warranty.

fixed phrase: planned obsolescence

Consumer groups say planned obsolescence pushes families to replace phones too often.

consumer complaint about deliberate short lifespan

同義詞
反義詞
  • durability

    the quality of lasting a long time in normal use

  • repairability

    design that allows easy fixing instead of forced replacement

  • longevity

    a long useful life for a product or system

文法句型

planned obsolescence

accuse somebody of planned obsolescence

用法筆記

Most often appears in the fixed phrase 'planned obsolescence'. Unlike sense 1, this sense implies the short lifespan is deliberate, not just the result of newer products appearing.

常見錯誤

❌Planned obsolescence means the factory forgot to test the product.
✅Planned obsolescence means the short life was built in on purpose.
💡it refers to deliberate design, not accidental poor quality.
❌Any old phone proves planned obsolescence.
✅Only a deliberately short-lived design suggests planned obsolescence.
💡a product being old does not by itself show intention.