derelict
Americanadjective
noun
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a person abandoned by society, especially a person without a permanent home and means of support; vagrant; bum.
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Nautical. a vessel abandoned in open water by its crew without any hope or intention of returning.
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personal property abandoned or thrown away by the owner.
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one guilty of neglect of duty.
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Law. land left dry by a change of the water line.
adjective
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deserted or abandoned, as by an owner, occupant, etc
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falling into ruins; neglected; dilapidated
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neglectful of duty or obligation; remiss
noun
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a person abandoned or neglected by society; a social outcast or vagrant
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property deserted or abandoned by an owner, occupant, etc
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a vessel abandoned at sea
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a person who is neglectful of duty or obligation
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of derelict
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”; see de-, relinquish
Explanation
If something has been abandoned, you can call it derelict. Even if a person has abandoned his responsibilities, you can say that he is derelict in his duties. But don't call a lost child derelict — unless, of course, he has neglected his chores. As an adjective, derelict describes something that is rundown, neglected, or in deplorable condition, but the word can also mean "negligent in duty." The politician was so busy using his office for personal gain that he was derelict in his duty to the people who voted for him; he hadn't been present at a vote in months. As a noun, a derelict means a homeless person.
Vocabulary lists containing derelict
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7
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"Rogue Wave," Vocabulary from the short story
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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.
Instead of nearly 100 new one- and two-bedroom units, the site today includes eight derelict apartments, a few small businesses and a vacant palm-reading shop.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Historic England ran a four-year programme to repurpose derelict and underused buildings as community spaces such as cinemas and market halls, and run cultural events, while in Walsall a £1.5bn regeneration project is planned.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
“It’s been in continuous disrepair and derelict circumstances,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
On a former derelict dock in the British port city of Liverpool, fans of Everton throng eateries and bars at the football club's new stadium ahead of a Premier League match.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
Once a fine-looking manor, and easily the largest and grandest building for miles around, the Riddle House was now damp, derelict, and unoccupied.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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.
