derelict

[ der-uh-likt ]

adjective

1. left or deserted, as by the owner or guardian; abandoned:

   a derelict ship.

2. neglectful of duty; delinquent; negligent.

   Synonyms: heedless, careless, remiss

noun

1. a person abandoned by society, especially a person without a permanent home and means of support; vagrant; bum.
2. Nautical. a vessel abandoned in open water by its crew without any hope or intention of returning.
3. personal property abandoned or thrown away by the owner.
4. one guilty of neglect of duty.
5. Law. land left dry by a change of the water line.

derelict

/ ˈdɛrɪlɪkt /

adjective

1. deserted or abandoned, as by an owner, occupant, etc
2. falling into ruins; neglected; dilapidated
3. neglectful of duty or obligation; remiss

noun

1. a person abandoned or neglected by society; a social outcast or vagrant
2. property deserted or abandoned by an owner, occupant, etc
3. a vessel abandoned at sea
4. a person who is neglectful of duty or obligation

Other Words From

• dere·lict·ly adverb
• dere·lict·ness noun
• non·dere·lict adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of derelict¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin dērelictus “forsaken” (past participle of dērelinquere ), equivalent to dē- “from, away from” + relictus, past participle of relinquere “to leave, abandon”; de-, relinquish

Word History and Origins

Origin of derelict¹

C17: from Latin dērelictus forsaken, from dērelinquere to abandon, from de- + relinquere to leave

Example Sentences

Mr Marsh's daughter will receive the honour 75 years after he died from spinal injuries after falling through a hole in the first floor of a derelict church while responding to a fire in Birmingham.

From BBC

Mr DePree said under the council's ownership the building had been derelict for years.

From BBC

With this in mind, the news that it has managed to obtain planning permission to demolish a nearby derelict café and build its own facility on the land is particularly welcome.

From BBC

Most area baseball diamonds remain derelict.

From Los Angeles Times

It treats abandoned properties as an environmental health issue - derelict properties can be a magnet for vandalism and vermin, harming the quality of life for people living next to them.

From BBC

Related Words

• beggar
• vagrant