decrepitude
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of decrepitude
1595–1605; < French décrépitude, derivative of décrépit decrepit; see -tude
Explanation
Many old buildings located in “ghost towns” in the Old West area of the United States are in a state of decrepitude. In other words, they are worn out and in disrepair. Decrepitude is usually a result of old age or neglect. Elderly people can be in this state and so can things, such as homes and automobiles. Similar words, which also happen to start with the letter D, are dilapidation and deterioration. Haunted houses featured in the movies are good examples of decrepitude. Most of them are not new and shiny, but have peeling paint, creaking floorboards, and lots of cobwebs.
Vocabulary lists containing decrepitude
Poe's Favorite Words, collected by Charles Harrington Elster
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Namesake
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Decrepitude hasn’t had a chance to catch up to him.
From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2013
Decrepitude is particularly an occupational hazard of autocrats and leaders of authoritarian regimes.
From Time Magazine Archive
“I think he’s finally catching up to my mother. He’s just begun to feel the sadness of growing old, if that’s what it is. Decrepitude, obsolescence. There’s no good cure.”
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Like a snake devouring air, Death wanders in this world made up of days and nights in the form of Decrepitude and devours all creatures.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
Decrepitude had set in with such ravages on his constitution that it could almost be marked by daily stages.
From The Emigrants Of Ahadarra The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by Carleton, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
