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