derelict

/ˈdɛrəlɪkt/

abandoned or neglected

The derelict house on the corner has been empty for years.

The house on the corner has been abandoned and neglected for years.

formal

Abandoned or neglected by the owner or caretaker; in a state of disrepair.

The factory was left derelict after the company went bankrupt.

The factory was abandoned and fell into ruin after the company went bankrupt.

Derelict buildings are a common sight in many urban areas.

Abandoned buildings are frequently seen in many cities.

Often used to describe property, infrastructure, or buildings that have been abandoned or not maintained.

formal

A person who is neglected or abandoned by society; a vagrant.

The derelicts of the city often sleep in doorways and alleys.

Homeless people in the city often sleep in doorways and alleys.

This sense is less common today and may be considered archaic or offensive in some contexts.

Collocations

derelict buildingabandoned or neglected structurederelict propertyabandoned or neglected land or buildingderelict siteabandoned or neglected area

Synonyms

abandoned neglected dilapidated run-down deserted

Antonyms

well-maintained pristine cared-for occupied

Pro Tip

Avoid confusion with 'delinquent'

'Derelict' describes something abandoned or neglected, while 'delinquent' refers to a person (especially a minor) who fails to fulfill their duties or obligations, often in a legal context.

Gold Rule

Use 'derelict' for physical abandonment

Reserve 'derelict' for describing buildings, property, or infrastructure that has been abandoned or neglected. For people, use 'homeless' or 'vagrant' unless referring to a legal or archaic sense.

Word Origin

From Latin *derelictus*, past participle of *derelinquere* (to abandon), from *de-* (away) + *relinquere* (to leave behind). The word entered English in the 17th century with the legal sense of property abandoned by its owner.

Usage Notes

Derelict is often used in formal or legal contexts to describe property or buildings. It can also describe people, though this usage is less common and may carry negative connotations.

Word Breakdown

de-

away, from

prefix

-relict

left behind

root

English Dictionary

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