jurassic
B2Technical (geology, paleontology), Informal (colloquial, humorous)
Definition
Meaning
Relating to the middle period of the Mesozoic era, known for the dominance of dinosaurs and the first appearance of birds.
Used to describe something very old, outdated, or from a much earlier, often primitive, era. Also used in popular culture to refer to dinosaurs and the science fiction franchise.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a proper noun ('the Jurassic'), it is a specific geological period. As an adjective, it can be used descriptively to connote age, obsolescence, or primitiveness, often with a humorous or critical tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and usage are identical. The capitalisation ('Jurassic' vs. 'jurassic') follows the same rules.
Connotations
In both, the primary connotation is linked to dinosaurs. The informal extended meaning of 'antiquated' is equally understood.
Frequency
Similar frequency, with a notable spike in popular usage due to the 'Jurassic Park' franchise.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the] Jurassic (N)the Jurassicadjective + Jurassic (e.g., late Jurassic)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a bit Jurassic (informal, BrE: meaning very old-fashioned)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used, except metaphorically: 'Their IT system is positively Jurassic.'
Academic
Common in geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology to describe the period, its strata, and fossils.
Everyday
Primarily used in reference to dinosaurs or humorously to describe old technology or ideas.
Technical
Precise term for the geological period from about 201 to 145 million years ago.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The museum has a superb collection of Jurassic marine reptiles.
- Their office software is a bit Jurassic, to be honest.
American English
- They discovered a new Jurassic fossil site in Utah.
- That flip phone is totally Jurassic; you need a smartphone.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Dinosaurs lived in the Jurassic period.
- I saw a film about Jurassic Park.
- The Jurassic era ended millions of years ago.
- My dad's mobile phone looks Jurassic compared to mine.
- Geologists can date these limestone layers to the late Jurassic.
- The company's approach to marketing is positively Jurassic; they need to embrace social media.
- The paleontological record from the Middle Jurassic provides crucial insights into the evolution of early mammals.
- His views on workplace management are not just conservative but practically Jurassic, harking back to a pre-digital age of rigid hierarchies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GIANT SAUROPOD (like a Brontosaurus) in a PARK. 'JURASSIC' sounds like 'JURy' + 'SAUROPOD' - the jury is out on how a sauropod from the Jurassic period got here.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME AS A LAYER / THE PAST AS ANOTHER WORLD. The Jurassic is a distinct, buried 'layer' of time or a 'world' we can visit through fossils and imagination.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'юркий' (nimble). 'Jurassic' не имеет отношения к скорости. Также, в русском 'юрский' используется почти исключительно в научном контексте ('юрский период'), тогда как в английском слово имеет и разговорное, переносное значение.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Jurasic' (one 's'). Incorrect capitalisation when used as a common adjective (e.g., 'It's a jurassic computer' is acceptable informally). Confusing it with 'Cretaceous' (the following period).
Practice
Quiz
In informal British English, if someone says 'your phone is a bit Jurassic', what do they mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is capitalised when referring specifically to the geological period (e.g., 'the Jurassic Period'). It is often not capitalised when used informally as an adjective meaning 'very old' (e.g., 'a jurassic computer').
The Jurassic (201-145 million years ago) and Cretaceous (145-66 million years ago) are consecutive periods within the Mesozoic Era. The Cretaceous followed the Jurassic and ended with the mass extinction event that killed most dinosaurs.
Yes, informally and humorously. Calling a 20-year-old car or a decade-old software 'Jurassic' exaggerates its age for effect, implying it's primitive or obsolete.
Primarily due to Michael Crichton's 1990 novel and the subsequent blockbuster film franchise 'Jurassic Park', which brought the term into global popular culture.