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Expired: meaning, definitions and examples

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expired

 

[ɪkˈspaɪərd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

time limit

Expired refers to something that is no longer valid, effective, or in use, often due to the passage of time. Items like food, contracts, or documents can become expired, meaning they are past their designated expiration date.

Synonyms

ended, lapsed, overdue, terminated.

Examples of usage

  • The milk in the fridge is expired.
  • I received a notice that my driver's license has expired.
  • Make sure to check if your coupons are expired before using them.
  • The contract expired last month, so we need to renew it.
Context #2 | Verb

become invalid

To expire means to come to an end or to cease to be valid or effective, particularly when referring to time-sensitive agreements or items. It can indicate the moment when something reaches its limit.

Synonyms

conclude, finish, run out, terminate.

Examples of usage

  • My passport is about to expire next week.
  • The promotional offer will expire after today.
  • His patience expired after waiting for two hours.
  • The lease expired, and the tenants had to vacate.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'expirare', which means 'to breathe out' or 'to pass away'.
  • It was first used in the Middle Ages to refer to something that had run out of time or freshness.
  • Over time, the meaning expanded to include anything that is no longer valid or effective.

Food Safety

  • Eating expired food may lead to foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria that grow after the expiration date.
  • Different foods have varying expiration timelines; for example, dairy products can spoil quickly, while canned goods can last much longer.
  • Not all food that is past its expiration date is harmful, as some maintain safety for a period even after that date.

Legal Aspects

  • In contracts, the term 'expired' refers to the end of the time during which an agreement or offer is valid.
  • Expired products can impact warranty claims; some warranties become void after a set period.
  • Renewal options often come into play when discussing expired licenses or permits, allowing for extensions.

Technology

  • In software, an 'expired' license means that the user must renew their access or lose functionality.
  • Expired digital certificates can pose security risks since these certificates validate authenticity online.
  • Popular apps often alert users when their subscriptions are about to expire, giving them the chance to renew.

Psychology

  • People often feel anxious about expired items, associating them with wastefulness or declining health.
  • The fear of eating expired food can sometimes lead to compulsive checking of expiration dates, known as 'food hoarding'.
  • Cognitive dissonance occurs when someone consumes expired food despite their knowledge of risks, indicating a conflict between beliefs and actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "expired" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expirado

🇮🇳 समाप्त

🇩🇪 abgelaufen

🇮🇩 kedaluwarsa

🇺🇦 протермінований

🇵🇱 wygasły

🇯🇵 期限切れ

🇫🇷 expiré

🇪🇸 caducado

🇹🇷 süresi dolmuş

🇰🇷 만료된

🇸🇦 منتهي

🇨🇿 vypršel

🇸🇰 uplynul

🇨🇳 过期的

🇸🇮 potekel

🇮🇸 útrunninn

🇰🇿 мерзімі өтті

🇬🇪 ვადა გასული

🇦🇿 vaxtı bitmiş

🇲🇽 caducado

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,381 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.