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 Word Forms

• derelictly adverb
• derelictness noun
• nonderelict adjective

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

On Friday, in Glasgow city centre part of the Broomielaw was closed when a derelict building collapsed at about 18:00.

From BBC

A man has been charged with murder after the body of a missing man was found in a derelict building in south-east London.

From BBC

Its derelict presence has long been a source of complaints among residents, and last week the city acted by securing the injunction.

From Los Angeles Times

Once Andy boards a derelict space station and interfaces with its programming, the rules change.

From Salon

This home, described as a "pavilion-like oasis", was built on a previously derelict plot behind a row of terraced houses in south London for a family with a love of Japanese design.

From BBC

Related Words

• desolate 
• dilapidated 
• dingy 
• neglected www.thesaurus.com
• ruined www.thesaurus.com
• run down 
• seedy 
• shabby