defunct
C1Formal, literary, journalistic, academic.
Definition
Meaning
No longer existing, operating, or functioning; dead or extinct.
Can describe things, organizations, systems, or ideas that have ceased to exist or operate, often implying a formal or final end. Can also be used humorously or ironically for people.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective. The verb form is rare, technical, and chiefly American. Connotes a permanent or official cessation rather than a temporary pause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The adjective is used identically. The verb 'to defunct' meaning 'to make defunct' is exceedingly rare and more likely to be encountered in American legal or technical jargon.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/literary in British English; slightly more likely in business/tech contexts in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but perhaps marginally higher in American English due to tech/business lexicon (e.g., 'defunct company').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/become/remain] defunctdefunct [noun]the now-defunct [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms with 'defunct' as the key word]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to companies, brands, or products that have ceased trading.
Academic
Describing historical institutions, theories, or practices no longer in use.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; used for closed shops, cancelled TV shows, etc.
Technical
In computing: referring to processes; in law: referring to laws or entities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The statute was defuncted by the new act. (Rare/legal)
American English
- The old regulation was formally defuncted by the federal commission.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no examples)
American English
- (Not standard; no examples)
adjective
British English
- The now-defunct magazine was once hugely popular.
- That political party has been defunct for decades.
American English
- The defunct startup's assets were sold at auction.
- He worked for a now-defunct automobile manufacturer.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too advanced for A2)
- My parents worked for a defunct airline.
- This phone model is now defunct.
- The now-defunct treaty was replaced by a new international agreement.
- Several defunct satellites are orbiting the Earth as space junk.
- The philosophical school of thought he adhered to has been largely defunct since the mid-20th century.
- Linguists studied the records of the long-defunct language.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The function is DE-FUNCT.' If something's function is dead, it's defunct.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANISATIONS/THINGS ARE LIVING ENTITIES (they can die/become defunct).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'неисправный' (faulty/malfunctioning). Defunct implies complete cessation, not poor function. Closer to 'прекративший существование', 'упразднённый', 'несуществующий'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for temporary breakdowns (e.g., 'The printer is defunct' when it just needs ink).
- Confusing it with 'dysfunctional'.
- Using the verb form in general contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'defunct' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is usually humorous, ironic, or literary (e.g., 'the defunct emperor'). In normal usage, 'dead' or 'deceased' is preferred.
'Defunct' emphasizes no longer existing or operating. 'Obsolete' emphasizes no longer useful or current due to being outdated. A defunct company no longer exists. An obsolete computer model still exists but is not used.
Yes, it is relatively formal. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say 'closed down', 'no longer around', 'out of business', or simply 'gone'.
Extremely rarely. The verb 'to defunct' (meaning to make defunct) exists in very specialized, chiefly American, legal or technical jargon. Learners should treat 'defunct' as an adjective.
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