Deprecate / Depreciate
Different meaningsDeprecate marks a technology as discouraged or no longer recommended; depreciate concerns a decline in value.
Deprecate
Use when
In technology, you mark a feature, API or system as no longer recommended, usually before possible later removal.
Example
“The legacy API has been deprecated but remains available for compatibility.”
Depreciate
Use when
In finance or accounting, an asset or other item loses value over time.
Example
“The server equipment depreciated in value over its useful life.”
Quick check
depreciated API, deprecated asset value, treating deprecation as immediate removal
Usage note
Outside technology, deprecate can also mean express disapproval. Technical deprecation does not necessarily mean that a feature has already been removed.