Defunct
/dɪˈfʌŋkt/
Definitions
No longer existing, in use, or operative.
/dɪˈfʌŋkt/
No longer existing or functioning.
The defunct airline had been a major player in the industry.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy store closed down. If it doesn't exist anymore and is not open for business, it's defunct! Anything that used to be there, but isn't now, is defunct.
👶 For kids: When something is defunct, it means it's not around anymore, like a toy you used to play with but don't have anymore.
More Examples
The library's card catalog is a testament to a defunct system of information retrieval.
After years of low sales, the factory became defunct.
How It's Used
"The company's defunct website still receives occasional traffic."
"Many historical societies preserve artifacts from defunct political movements."
Idioms & expressions
defunct company
A company that no longer exists or operates.
"The defunct company's assets were sold off after the bankruptcy."
From Latin *dēfunctus*, past participle of *dēfungī* 'to discharge, perform, or finish', from *dē-* 'away, off' + *fungī* 'to perform'.
Used since the early 17th century, often in legal and business contexts to describe entities that are no longer operative.
Memory tip
Think of a *fun*ction that has been *de-*leted.
Word Origin
"to discharge, perform, or finish"