derelict

[ der-uh-likt ]

/ ˈdɛr ə lɪkt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR derelict ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

left or deserted, as by the owner or guardian; abandoned: a derelict ship.

neglectful of duty; delinquent; negligent.

noun

a person abandoned by society, especially a person without a permanent home and means of support; vagrant; bum.

Nautical. a vessel abandoned in open water by its crew without any hope or intention of returning.

personal property abandoned or thrown away by the owner.

one guilty of neglect of duty.

Law. land left dry by a change of the water line.

Nearby words

Origin of derelict

1640–50; < Latin dērelictus forsaken (past participle of dērelinquere), equivalent to dē- de- + relictus past participle of relinquere to leave, abandon; see relinquish

SYNONYMS FOR derelict

2. remiss, careless, heedless.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR derelict ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsder·e·lict·ly, adverbder·e·lict·ness, nounnon·der·e·lict, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for derelict

We stood on the rooftop of a derelict farmhouse meters away from a Turkish tank and a razor wire fence marking the end of Turkey.
Impotent U.S. Airstrikes, Passive Turks and an ISIS Triumph|Jamie Dettmer|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, all that remains of these Jewish holiday centers is a constellation of derelict buildings.
The Best of the Beast, Aug 25-31: High Schools, Houdini and Hip-Hop Jihadists|The Daily Beast|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He remembers, for example, living in Brooklyn Heights and trying to get booze from the “derelict liquor story nearby.”
Andrew Rannells Is Back On ‘Girls.’ You’ll Want to Give Him a Hug.|Kevin Fallon|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Daily Pic: In 1904 in Manhattan, the great Guastavino Co. gave palatial roofing to a subway station that's now derelict.
Vaulting Ambition in Early New York|Blake Gopnik|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The barrier of stigma wedged between a person and others they deem “dirty” or “derelict” will not keep AIDS at bay.
Should People Who Spread HIV Go to Jail?|Regan Hofmann|May 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST
It was entirely wrecked on these islands, but fortunately the crew sighted the derelict.
Yule Logs|Various
A Youths story of the deep blue seaof the search for a derelict carrying a fortune.
The Outdoor Chums on the Lake|Quincy Allen
Kitchell was wrong; she was no derelict; not one penny could they gain by her salvage.
Moran of the Lady Letty|Frank Norris
"I am just a derelict," Lessingham explained, with a faint smile.
The Zeppelin's Passenger|E. Phillips Oppenheim
Their engine therefore deserted them and hauled the derelict train into Port Said where the drinks are.
The Fifth Battalion Highland Light Infantry in the War 1914-1918|F.L. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for derelict

derelict

/ (ˈdɛrɪlɪkt) /

adjective

deserted or abandoned, as by an owner, occupant, etc

falling into ruins; neglected; dilapidated

neglectful of duty or obligation; remiss

noun

a person abandoned or neglected by society; a social outcast or vagrant

property deserted or abandoned by an owner, occupant, etc

a vessel abandoned at sea

a person who is neglectful of duty or obligation

Word Origin for derelict

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

derelict

adjective

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of derelict

Examples from the Web for derelict

derelict

adjective

noun

Word Origin for derelict