outmode
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
to cause something to become unfashionable or obsolete
to make something appear old-fashioned or no longer useful, often through technological or social change
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically used in passive constructions; implies replacement by something newer/better rather than simple disappearance
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly; slightly more common in American business/tech contexts
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative (suggests obsolescence)
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties; appears more in written than spoken English
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] outmodes [NP][NP] is outmoded by [NP][NP] has become outmodedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “outmode someone/something into oblivion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when discussing technological disruption or changing market demands
Academic
Appears in sociology, technology studies, and historical analyses
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more common in discussions about technology/fashion
Technical
Used in engineering, computing, and design fields regarding obsolescence
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Smartphones quickly outmoded most traditional mobile phones.
- The new regulations could outmode certain manufacturing practices.
American English
- Streaming services outmoded DVD rentals almost overnight.
- AI might outmode some routine programming jobs.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form
American English
- No adverb form
adjective
British English
- No adjective form - use 'outmoded'
American English
- No adjective form - use 'outmoded'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- New computers often outmode old ones.
- Fashion trends can outmode clothes quickly.
- Digital photography completely outmoded film cameras within a decade.
- The software update will likely outmode previous versions.
- Blockchain technology threatens to outmode traditional banking intermediaries.
- Changing social attitudes have outmoded many once-acceptable business practices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
OUT of MODE = no longer in fashion mode
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME AS A FORCE THAT RENDERS THINGS OBSOLETE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'устареть' (become outdated) - 'outmode' is causative
- Not equivalent to 'вытеснить' (displace) which lacks the fashion/obsolescence nuance
Common Mistakes
- Using as adjective (*'an outmode technology') instead of verb/participle
- Confusing with 'outmoded' (adjective form)
- Using in active voice for natural processes (*'Time outmoded the system')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'outmode' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively formal and appears more in written contexts about technology, business, or social change.
'Outmode' specifically implies making something obsolete or unfashionable, while 'replace' is more general.
Yes, but it's more common in passive constructions (e.g., 'was outmoded by').
No direct noun form exists; use 'obsolescence' or 'outmoding' as gerund.