Dated: meaning, definitions and examples

⏳

Add to dictionary

dated

[ˈdeɪtɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

old-fashioned

No longer in style or current usage; out-of-date.

Synonyms

obsolete, old-fashioned, outdated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dated	Used to describe something that is no longer current or fashionable, but not necessarily in an extreme or negative sense. It suggests that the item or idea is from a previous era. The decor in the house is a bit dated. Her fashion sense is somewhat dated.
old-fashioned	Used to describe things that are from an earlier time and not in accordance with current trends. It can be used both positively, to describe something charmingly vintage, or negatively, to describe something out of step with modern times. He has an old-fashioned sense of courtesy. The rules are quite old-fashioned.
outdated	Indicates that something is not current with present standards or trends, often implying it's overdue for an update. It usually has a more negative connotation compared to 'dated'. The software is outdated and needs to be upgraded. Her ideas are outdated.
obsolete	Refers to something that is no longer in use, often because it has been replaced by something newer and better. It carries a stronger negative connotation than 'dated'. Typewriters have become obsolete. The company replaced its obsolete machinery.

Examples of usage

It's a dated concept that no longer applies to modern society.
Her outfit was very dated, with shoulder pads and neon colors.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

establish the date of

To determine the age of something or establish the date of an event.

Synonyms

determine the age of, establish the date of, put a date on.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dated	This term is used when something or someone looks old-fashioned or from the past. It often carries a slightly negative connotation. The furniture in the office is quite dated. Her clothing style seems dated for this era.
determine the age of	This phrase is typically used in a scientific or investigative context to figure out how old something is. The archaeologists determined the age of the artifact to be over 2,000 years. Experts are working to determine the age of the ancient manuscript.
establish the date of	Used in formal contexts, especially in research or historical analysis, to find out the specific date of an event or creation of an object. The researchers worked tirelessly to establish the date of the ancient ruins. It took years to establish the date of the historical documents.
put a date on	This is a more casual way to indicate assigning or figuring out the date of an object or event. I can’t really put a date on when this tradition started. It’s hard to put a date on that old photograph.

Examples of usage

The archaeologist dated the artifacts using carbon dating.
She dated the letter by looking at the postmark.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'dated' comes from the word 'date,' which originally referred to a specific day on the calendar.
In the context of being old-fashioned, it started being used in the late 20th century, showing how quickly styles change.
It's similar to how we might talk about 'vintage' items, which are older but can still be stylish.

Pop Culture

In the world of fashion, styles from the 80s and 90s are often considered 'dated' by current trends.
Movies or TV shows that seem 'dated' might refer to outdated technology, fashion, or social norms that don't resonate today.
In music, artists often borrow 'dated' sounds to evoke nostalgia or to pay homage to earlier genres.

Psychology

'Dated' can reference not just styles but also attitudes or beliefs that may not align with current societal views.
Individuals can feel 'dated' if their ideas don't evolve with younger generations, leading to feelings of isolation or disconnection.
Familiarity with dated trends can evoke a sense of nostalgia, impacting mood positively for some people.

Technology

Software that hasn’t been updated can become 'dated,' making users vulnerable to security risks.
Devices like flip phones are often considered 'dated' as smartphones dominate the market.
In video gaming, older graphics and mechanics can render a game 'dated' compared to current titles, affecting enjoyment.

Literature

Books published decades ago might feel 'dated' due to cultural references or writing styles that have evolved.
Authors sometimes revive 'dated' themes to explore contemporary issues through a historical lens.
Literary criticism often examines how 'dated' societal views in older books reflect the norms of their time.

Translations

Translations of the word "dated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 datado

🇮🇳 पुराना

🇩🇪 datiert

🇮🇩 tertanggal

🇺🇦 застарілий

🇵🇱 przestarzały

🇯🇵 日付のある

🇫🇷 daté

🇪🇸 fechado

🇹🇷 tarihli

🇰🇷 날짜가 있는

🇸🇦 مؤرخ

🇨🇿 datovaný

🇸🇰 dátovaný

🇨🇳 有日期的

🇸🇮 datiran

🇮🇸 dagsett

🇰🇿 мерзімді

🇬🇪 თარიღიანი

🇦🇿 tarixli

🇲🇽 fechado

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,873, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

...
1870 observation
1871 channel
1872 mile
1873 dated
1874 involving
1875 guide
1876 reader
...