Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

tumble-down

American  
[tuhm-buhl-doun] / ˈtʌm bəlˌdaʊn /

adjective

  1. dilapidated; ruined; rundown.

    He lived in a tumble-down shack.


Etymology

Origin of tumble-down

First recorded in 1810–20

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.

See Examples For:

The actual Los Angeles was a fly-ridden settlement of tumble-down adobes, packs of feral dogs and one of the nation’s highest murder rates.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 19, 2022

In the game, agent Milton surrounds the tumble-down property where the gang is camped out with the women and children who travel with them, and challenges the group to come out and surrender.

From Slate Feb. 1, 2019

The city's High Street was a dirt road then, with tumble-down thatched cottages on one side and hoardings on the other.

From BBC Sep. 12, 2016

There, the tumble-down shanties would contrast with the cherry blossoms along the Potomac.

From Washington Times Feb. 19, 2016

Carney plied his junk business in a tumble-down stable.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com