dilapidate

[ dih-lap-i-deyt ]

verb (used with object)

, di·lap·i·dat·ed, di·lap·i·dat·ing.

1. to cause or allow (a building, automobile, etc.) to fall into a state of disrepair, as by misuse or neglect (often used passively):

   The house had been dilapidated by neglect.

2. Archaic. to squander; waste.

verb (used without object)

, di·lap·i·dat·ed, di·lap·i·dat·ing.

1. to fall into ruin or decay.

dilapidate

/ dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to fall or cause to fall into ruin or decay

Other Words From

• di·lapi·dation noun
• di·lapi·dator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilapidate¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin dīlapidātus, past participle of dīlapidāre to squander (compare dīlapidātiō disrepair), Latin: to pelt with stones; di- ², lapidate

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilapidate¹

C16: from Latin dīlapidāre to scatter, waste, from dis- apart + lapidāre to stone, throw stones, from lapis stone

Example Sentences

Smilash had immediately promised to dilapidate it to its former state at the end of the year.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything about the villain stream has a dilapidate, broken-down air: the very mud of the Spider Water is rusty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• batter
• decimate
• demolish
• destroy
• devastate
• impair
• injure
• mangle
• mar
• ravage
• raze
• ruin
• sabotage
• shatter
• sink
• smash
• spoil
• torpedo
• trash
• undermine