German word

veralten

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈaltən/

Meaning

  • verbbecome outdated

Example

Dieses Programm veraltet schnell.

This program quickly becomes outdated.

Illustration for veralten (become outdated)

More examples

In den Medien veralten manche Ausdrücke schnell.

In the media, some expressions quickly become outdated.

Core concept

A familiar method gradually loses its place when newer methods make it no longer current.

Common phrases

  • im Sprachgebrauch veralten

    become outdated in usage

  • in den Medien veralten

    become outdated in the media

Similar words

überholt werden: Be superseded by something newer and become outdated.
obsolet werden: Fall out of use and lose its practical necessity.
aus der Mode kommen: Fall out of fashion and come to seem old-fashioned.

Definition in German

Allmählich überholt werden; durch neue Entwicklungen nicht mehr aktuell sein.

Word origin

Veralten is derived from alt with ver- and -en, forming a verb for a change into an old or no longer current state.

Usage tips

  • The completed state is commonly expressed with sein, as in Die Technik ist veraltet, while veralten describes the change into that state.

Other meanings

  • become obsoleteverb
  • fall out of useverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word