derelict

American  

[der-uh-likt] / ˈdɛr ə lɪkt /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

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”; 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.

Example Sentences

“It’s been in continuous disrepair and derelict circumstances,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It has been derelict since 2007, local councillor Bill Cawley said.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 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

Recent reviews have described the mall as derelict, depressing and “a hole of a centre.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

He came to feel derelict about sleeping at night, for the sake of all the books he’d miss reading in those hours.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• desolate
• dilapidated
• dingy
• neglected
• ruined
• run down
• seedy
• shabby