noun
fossil
FOSL
noun
1
The preserved remains or traces of an ancient plant or animal, usually turned to stone over time.
"The museum displayed a dinosaur fossil found in Montana."
"Scientists study fossils to learn how species evolved."
2
Something (or someone) seen as extremely old-fashioned or outdated.
"My uncle jokes that his flip phone makes him a fossil."
How to Use Fossil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe preserved trace of ancient life in rock, or informally, anything hopelessly out of date.
Common pairings
dinosaur fossil
living fossil
fossil record
Word Forms
fossils plural
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The museum displayed a dinosaur _____ found in Montana.
Etymology
From Latin fossilis, "dug up," from fodere, "to dig" — fossils were originally just "things dug out of the ground."