derelict

1 of 2

adjective

der·​e·​lict ˈder-ə-ˌlikt 

ˈde-rə-

1

: abandoned especially by the owner or occupant

derelict warehouses

also : run-down

a derelict neighborhood

2

: lacking a sense of duty : negligent

derelict in his duty

derelict landlords

derelict

2 of 2

noun

plural derelicts

1

usually disparaging : a person who has no established residence and who wanders from place to place without lawful or visible means of support

2

: something voluntarily abandoned

especially : a ship abandoned on the high seas

Did you know?

Derelict Has Latin Roots

The Latin verb relinquere, meaning "to leave behind," left behind a few English derivatives, including derelict. Something derelict has been left behind, or at least appears that way. In another sense, someone who is derelict leaves behind or neglects their duties or obligations. Another descendant of relinquere is relinquish, meaning "to leave behind," "to give up," or "to release." Relic is another example of a word that ultimately comes from relinquere. Relics, in the original sense of the term, referred to things treasured for their association with a saint or martyr—that is, objects saints and martyrs had left behind. Relinquere also gives English its name for the containers or shrines which hold relics, reliquary.

Synonyms

Adjective

• careless
• disregardful
• lax
• lazy
• neglectful
• neglecting
• negligent
• remiss
• slack

Noun

• bum
• do-nothing
• good-for-nothing
• ne'er-do-well
• no-account
• no-good
• no-goodnik
• slacker
• vagrant

Examples of derelict in a Sentence

Adjective

The officer was charged with being derelict in his duty.

the guards were judged derelict in their duty

Noun

It was a run-down neighborhood filled with drugs addicts and derelicts.

a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The power station, which is famous for gracing the cover of the Pink Floyd album Animals, was decommissioned in 1983 and lay derelict for almost 30 years. —Jamie Hailstone, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday gave the green light to demolish two historic but derelict buildings on East Colfax Avenue, with all but one board member agreeing the multimillion-dollar restorations would be an economic hardship to the owner. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

However, rumors that the derelict mansion in the video was Jordan’s have since been debunked. —Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024

Maine’s housing stock skews old, with high rates of derelict and seasonally vacant properties. —Donovan Lynch, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin derelictus, past participle of derelinquere to abandon, from de- + relinquere to leave — more at relinquish

First Known Use

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

derelict

1 of 2 adjective

der·​e·​lict ˈder-ə-ˌlikt 

1

: abandoned by the owner or occupant

a derelict ship

2

: negligent sense 2, neglectful

derelict in one's duty

derelict

2 of 2 noun

1

: something voluntarily abandoned

especially : a ship abandoned on the high seas

2

: a person without apparent means of support : bum