discontinued
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪsˈkɒntɪnjud/
KK: /dɪsˈkɒntɪnjud/
adjective
Definition
No longer being made or offered for sale, often because it has been replaced or is no longer needed.
Example
The company announced that the model has been discontinued due to low sales.
Conversation
Have you heard that they discontinued my favorite snack?
No way! That’s so disappointing.
I know, right? I can’t believe they would stop making it.
I guess we’ll have to find a new favorite snack then!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
obsolete
defunct
terminated
Antonyms
available
current
ongoing
verb
Definition
To stop doing or providing something that was previously done or provided.
Example
The company discontinued the production of that model last year.
Tense Forms
Past: discontinued
Past Participle: discontinued
Conversation
Did you hear that they discontinued that snack we used to love?
No way! That was my favorite.
I know, right? I was so surprised when I saw it on the news.
Root Explanation
Discontinued → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "continuare" (meaning to continue). The word describes the act of ceasing to continue something, effectively meaning to stop or break away from a process or service.
Memory Tip
Think of something that is 'stopped' or 'broken apart' — 'dis-' means apart, and 'continuare' means to continue.
Visually Confused Words
undiscontinued
continued
prediscontinue
subcontinued
continue