dilapidated

[dih-lap-i-dey-tid]

adjective

1. reduced to or fallen into partial ruin or decay, as from age, wear, or neglect.

   Synonyms: rickety, ramshackle, run-down

dilapidated

/ dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. falling to pieces or in a state of disrepair; shabby

Other Word Forms

• nondilapidated adjective
• undilapidated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilapidated¹

First recorded in 1800–10; dilapidate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

For example, scenes meant to portray China's Dalian city feature a bunch of dilapidated buildings, believed to be shot in Hong Kong, which some people say paints China in a bad light.

From BBC

“For far too many years, the Laurel Canyon community has dealt with these dangerous, dilapidated homes that were ordered to be taken down more than two decades ago,” said Feldstein Soto.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit decried the “dilapidated physical condition of the facility and the numerous instances of violence and death within its walls.”

From Los Angeles Times

DAMASCUS, Syria — Standing in the dilapidated ATM hall of his bank, Maher Elias huffed a sigh equal parts exasperation and exhaustion.

From Los Angeles Times

A recent government survey shows that more than 5,600 schools in the state are in dilapidated condition.

From BBC

Related Words

• battered 
• broken-down 
• crumbling www.thesaurus.com
• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• decaying www.thesaurus.com
• decrepit 
• derelict 
• dingy 
• in ruins www.thesaurus.com
• neglected www.thesaurus.com
• ramshackle 
• rickety 
• run down 
• seedy 
• shabby 
• unkempt