noun

fossil

/ˈfɒsəl/ · say it: FOS·uhl

the preserved remains of a once-living organism

In Science & Nature

In more detail

1. (noun) the hard remains of a plant or animal that lived millions of years ago, preserved in rock

2. (noun) a person or thing that is outdated or no longer useful

Examples

1. Scientists studied the dinosaur fossil to understand how the creature lived. 2. He's dismissed as a fossil in the tech industry because he refuses to learn new programming languages.

How to use fossil

Fossil primarily refers to preserved biological remains found in geological contexts, but is also used metaphorically to describe outdated people or institutions that refuse to change. The second sense is informal and often carries a mildly derogatory tone, implying stubborn resistance to progress or modernization.

Common phrases

fossil fuel
fossil record
fossil evidence
living fossil
dig up fossils

Synonyms

remains · relic · vestige · artifact · antique

Opposites

novelty · innovation

Word family

fossilize · fossilized · fossilization

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse fossil with fossil fuel; fossil fuel is a specific category of energy source (coal, oil, gas) derived from ancient organic matter, not merely any preserved remains.

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