dilapidated

[ dih-lap-i-dey-tid ]

adjective

1. reduced to or fallen into partial ruin or decay, as from age, wear, or neglect.

   Synonyms: rickety, ramshackle, run-down

dilapidated

/ dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. falling to pieces or in a state of disrepair; shabby

Other Words From

• nondi·lapi·dated adjective
• undi·lapi·dated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilapidated¹

First recorded in 1800–10; dilapidate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Two weeks ago, Brittanie Bibby, husband Kenneth and their 15-month-old baby moved from Arizona to Camarillo to live in the home she inherited from her father, maxing out their credit cards to turn the dilapidated property into a safe place to live.

From Los Angeles Times

But the 54-year-old, who said he had spent about £580,000 renovating the dilapidated 60-room country pile, claimed Rochdale Borough Council had now "pulled the rug from under him" by ending its agreement to sell it to him.

From BBC

They endure greater exposure to toxic industrial pollution, dangerously dilapidated housing, gun violence, and other social conditions linked to higher incidence of cancer, asthma, chronic stress, maternal and infant mortality, and myriad other health problems.

From Salon

The other 373 miles replaced dilapidated or outdated barriers.

From Los Angeles Times

Parents have raised safety fears about a dilapidated East Dunbartonshire school, after a teacher narrowly avoided being hit when a "repaired" section of ceiling fell down.

From BBC

Related Words

• battered
• broken-down
• crumbling
• damaged
• decaying
• decrepit
• derelict
• dingy
• in ruins
• neglected
• ramshackle
• rickety
• run down
• seedy
• shabby
• unkempt