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”; 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.

Example Sentences

Derelict RVs and cars appeared in front of residences.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2022

Contemporary art experts familiar with Basquiat’s work believe that among the loans from Arnault’s personal collection is the 1982 painting Portrait of the Artist as a Young Derelict.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 4, 2018

Derelict homes, swallowed up by grass and trees, stand empty along the road near to the centre of Boda.

From The Guardian • Oct. 28, 2017

Kushner details more than 70 assets that he failed to disclose Derelict in duty?

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2017

I’m blest if it isn’t the Red Derelict herself!” exclaimed the fourth officer, lowering his binoculars.

From The Red Derelict by Mitford, Bertram

Related Words

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