Obsolete vs. Old — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 20, 2024
Obsolete refers to something no longer in use due to advancements, while old describes something that has existed for a long time but may still be in use.
Difference Between Obsolete and Old
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Obsolete items are often replaced by newer technologies or methods, indicating they are no longer the best available option. While, old items may simply age but continue to serve their purpose or hold value.
Obsolete often implies a disuse driven by innovation or changes in standards, suggesting a lack of utility in current contexts. On the other hand, something old can retain practical or sentimental value despite its age.
In technology, obsolete refers to devices or software that no longer receive support from developers or manufacturers. Whereas, old technology might still function and be supported, albeit not with the latest features.
Items become obsolete when a community or industry consensus deems them outdated. Whereas, an old item's status is more subjective, often measured against cultural or personal benchmarks of age.
Obsolete carries a connotation of being outmoded or superseded. In contrast, something old might be considered classic or enduring, highlighting a positive aspect of its longevity.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
No longer in use; superseded
Still in use; aged
Connotation
Negative; outmoded
Neutral or positive; vintage
Relevance
Lacks due to advancements
Maintains despite age
Support
Typically unsupported
May still receive support
Value
Decreased practical value
May hold sentimental or antique value
Compare with Definitions
Obsolete
No longer in legal use.
Obsolete laws are often repealed when they no longer apply to modern society.
Old
Having existed for a long time.
That old tree in the park has been standing for over a century.
Obsolete
No longer produced or used; out of date.
Floppy disks have become obsolete with the advent of USB storage.
Old
Suggesting qualities of aging.
This old jacket has faded but still holds sentimental value.
Obsolete
Superseded by a new version.
Many software programs become obsolete when developers stop updating them.
Old
Not new; used or worn.
I still enjoy reading books from my old collection.
Obsolete
Discontinued in terms of support or relevance.
Obsolete technology can pose security risks if used in current setups.
Old
Referring to something from an earlier time.
Old movies have a charm that modern films often lack.
Obsolete
Fallen into disuse or replaced by alternatives.
Typewriters are obsolete in most professional environments today.
Old
Of or relating to the latter part of life.
She offers wise advice with her old age experience.
Obsolete
No longer in use
An obsolete word.
Old
Having lived for a long time; no longer young
The old man lay propped up on cushions
Obsolete
Outmoded in design, style, or construction
An obsolete locomotive.
Old
Belonging to the past; former
Valuation under the old rating system was inexact
Obsolete
(Biology) Vestigial or rudimentary, especially in comparison with related or ancestral species, as the tailbone of an ape. Used of an organ or other part of an organism.
Old
Of a specified age
A seven-month-old baby
He was fourteetn years old
Obsolete
To cause to become obsolete
"The textbook publishers use every trick known to the marketing mind to obsolete their products year after year, thus closing off the possibility of second-hand sales" (Thomas Frank).
Old
Used to express affection, familiarity, or contempt
Good old Mum
I didn't like playing with silly old dolls
Obsolete
(of words, equipment, etc.) No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer).
It is speculated that, within a few years, the Internet's speedy delivery of news worldwide will make newspapers obsolete.
Old
Having lived or existed for a relatively long time; far advanced in years or life.
Obsolete
(biology) Imperfectly developed; not very distinct.
Old
Relatively advanced in age
Pamela is our oldest child.
Obsolete
To cause to become obsolete.
This software component has been obsoleted.
We are in the process of obsoleting this product.
Old
Made long ago; in existence for many years
An old book.
Obsolete
No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; - applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
Old
Of or relating to a long life or to people who have had long lives
A ripe old age.
Obsolete
Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
Old
Having or exhibiting the physical characteristics of age
A prematurely old face.
Obsolete
To become obsolete; to go out of use.
Old
Having or exhibiting the wisdom of age; mature
A child who is old for his years.
Obsolete
Old; no longer in use or valid or fashionable;
Obsolete words
An obsolete locomotive
Outdated equipment
Superannuated laws
Out-of-date ideas
Old
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time
She was 12 years old.
Obsolete
No longer in use;
Obsolete words
Old
Exhibiting the effects of time or long use; worn
An old coat.
Old
Known through long acquaintance; long familiar
An old friend.
Old
Skilled or able through long experience; practiced
He is an old hand at doing home repairs.
Old
Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient
Old fossils.
Old
Belonging to or being of an earlier time
Her old classmates.
Old
Often Old Being the earlier or earliest of two or more related objects, stages, versions, or periods.
Old
Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
Old
Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
Old
Used as an intensive
Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
Old
Used to express affection or familiarity
Good ol' Sam.
Old
An individual of a specified age
A five-year-old.
Old
Old people considered as a group. Used with the
Caring for the old.
Old
Former times; yore
In days of old.
Old
Of an object, concept, relationship, etc., having existed for a relatively long period of time.
An old abandoned building
An old friend
Old
Of a living being, having lived for most of the expected years.
A wrinkled old man
Old
Of a perishable item, having existed for most of, or more than, its shelf life.
An old loaf of bread
Old
Of a species or language, belonging to a lineage that is distantly related others
The ginkgo is one of the oldest living trees
Basque is the oldest language in Europe
Old
Having been used and thus no longer new or unused.
I find that an old toothbrush is good to clean the keyboard with.
Old
Having existed or lived for the specified time.
How old are they? She’s five years old and he's seven. We also have a young teen and a two-year-old child.
My great-grandfather lived to be a hundred and one years old.
Old
(heading) Of an earlier time.
Old
Former, previous.
My new car is not as good as my old one.
A school reunion for Old Etonians
Old
That is no longer in existence.
The footpath follows the route of an old railway line.
Old
Obsolete; out-of-date.
That is the old way of doing things; now we do it this way.
Old
Familiar.
When he got drunk and quarrelsome they just gave him the old heave-ho.
Old
(UK) Being a graduate or alumnus of a school, especially a public school.
Old
Tiresome after prolonged repetition.
Your constant pestering is getting old.
Old
Said of subdued colors, particularly reds, pinks and oranges, as if they had faded over time.
Old
A grammatical intensifier, often used in describing something positive, and combined with another adjective.
We're having a good old time.
My next car will be a big old SUV.
My wife makes the best little old apple pie in Texas.
Any old
Old
(obsolete) Excessive, abundant.
Old
|invariable plural only}} People who are old; old beings; the older generation, taken as a group.
A civilised society should always look after the old in the community.
Old
(slang) A person older than oneself, especially an adult in relation to a teenager.
Old
One's parents.
I had to sneak out to meet my girlfriend and tell the olds I was going to the library.
Old
A typically dark-coloured lager brewed by the traditional top-fermentation method.
Old
Open country.
Old
Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.
Let not old age disgrace my high desire.
The melancholy news that we grow old.
Old
Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship.
Old
Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise.
Old
Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; - designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
Old
Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice.
Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old.
Old
Long cultivated; as, an old farm; old land, as opposed to new land, that is, to land lately cleared.
Old
Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.
Old
More than enough; abundant.
If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key.
Old
Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; - used disparagingly as a term of reproach.
Old
Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay; jolly.
Old
Used colloquially as a term of cordiality and familiarity.
Old
Past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')
Old
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age; especially not young; often used as a combining form to indicate an age as specified as in `a week-old baby';
An old man's eagle mind
His mother is very old
A ripe old age
How old are you?
Old
Of long duration; not new;
Old tradition
Old house
Old wine
Old country
Old friendships
Old money
Old
Of an earlier time;
His old classmates
Old
(used for emphasis) very familiar;
Good old boy
Same old story
Old
Lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new;
Moth-eaten theories about race
Old
Just preceding something else in time or order;
The previous owner
My old house was larger
Old
Of a very early stage in development;
Old English is also called Anglo Saxon
Old High German is High German from the middle of the 9th to the end of the 11th century
Old
Old in experience;
An old offender
The older soldiers
Old
Used informally especially for emphasis;
A real honest-to-god live cowboy
Had us a high old time
Went upriver to look at a sure-enough fish wheel
Common Curiosities
What makes something obsolete?
Something becomes obsolete when new advancements make it unnecessary or inefficient.
Is everything old obsolete?
No, not everything old is obsolete; many old things continue to be valuable or useful.
How does society determine if something is obsolete?
Societal and technological advancements usually dictate when something becomes obsolete.
Can old things become obsolete?
Yes, old things can become obsolete if they no longer serve a functional purpose in contemporary settings.
What are examples of obsolete technology?
Examples include floppy disks, VCRs, and dial-up internet.
What is the impact of labeling something as obsolete?
Labeling something as obsolete can discourage its use and hasten its replacement.
How does something old gain antique value?
Old items gain antique value through rarity, craftsmanship, and historical significance.
How can one prevent an item from becoming obsolete?
Maintaining and updating an item, when possible, can prevent it from becoming obsolete.
Can old methods be more effective than new ones?
In some cases, old methods are more effective or suitable, depending on the context or task.
Do old items always become obsolete?
Not necessarily; many old items remain functional and relevant long after their creation.
Why do people still use old things if newer options are available?
People might use old things for reasons of cost, sentimentality, or preference for their simplicity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
