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Originating from a past geological era and preserved as a fossil. This meaning is also used in the phrase 'fossile Brennstoffe' (fossil fuels) for energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Im Museum sind viele fossile Überreste von Dinosauriern ausgestellt.
Many fossil remains of dinosaurs are on display in the museum.
outdated
Completely outdated and no longer appropriate for the times; obsolete. This use is colloquial and often derogatory.
Seine Ansichten zur Digitalisierung sind wirklich fossil.
His views on digitalization are really outdated.
The most important and most common combination is 'fossile Brennstoffe' (fossil fuels). This term includes energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which formed millions of years ago.
Die Verbrennung fossiler Brennstoffe trägt zum Klimawandel bei.
The burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change.
The figurative meaning 'veraltet' (outdated) is colloquial and is often used in a slightly derogatory or ironic way to describe ideas, technologies, or opinions as backward.
Ein Telefon ohne Internet? Das ist ja total fossil!
A phone without internet? That's totally outdated!
The literal meaning refers to scientific contexts (geology, energy) and concrete things. The figurative, colloquial meaning always refers to abstract concepts such as views, methods, or technology.
In der Höhle entdeckten Forscher fossile Knochen.
Researchers discovered fossil bones in the cave.
outdated
Veraltet and fossil can both characterize something as no longer up to date. Veraltet sounds factual and neutral, while fossil is colloquial and often derogatory. Use veraltet in an objective description and fossil when you want to clearly criticize something as backward.
Dieses fossile Bezahlsystem wird im nächsten Jahr ersetzt.
This archaic payment system will be replaced next year.
Das veraltete Bezahlsystem wird im nächsten Jahr ersetzt.
The outdated payment system will be replaced next year.
