Derelict
/ˈdɛrəˌlɪkt/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
Derelict means something or someone that has been left alone and not cared for. When used as an adjective, it describes buildings, ships, or places that are old, broken, and empty because no one looks after them. As a noun, it can mean a person who has no home or job and is often neglected by society.
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⚡ See It in Action
Adjective: abandoned and in poor condition
- •The derelict warehouse was full of broken windows and graffiti.
- •They explored the derelict factory that had been empty for years.
- •The derelict ship sat rusting by the old dock.
Noun: a person without a home or job, often neglected
- •The city has programs to help derelicts find shelter and support.
- •He was seen as a derelict living on the streets with no family.
- •Many derelicts struggle to get basic needs like food and warmth.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "derelict" like "old" or "empty," but much stronger—like something forgotten and falling apart, not just old
- ✓Picture an old, broken house with windows smashed and plants growing inside—no one lives there or fixes it
- ✓It's the feeling of sadness when you see a place or thing that used to be useful but now looks lost and unwanted
- ✓Sounds like "DEAR-uh-likt" → imagine a "dear" pet left alone and forgotten, looking sad and lost
- ✓Think of movies with abandoned buildings or ships where no one visits—these are derelict places
- ✓NOT like "old" (which can be cared for), "derelict" means no care or attention at all
- ✓NOT like "ruined" (which means broken by damage), "derelict" means left alone to become broken over time
- ✓NOT like "homeless" only for people—derelict can describe things and places too
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Abandoned: left alone and unused (Use when the focus is only on being left, not necessarily broken)
- •Neglected: not cared for or looked after (Use when emphasizing lack of care rather than total abandonment)
- •Run-down: in bad condition because of age or lack of care (Use when describing buildings or places that look old and damaged)
- •Homeless: without a home (Use when referring only to people, not things)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: Possibly from Latin "derelictus" meaning "abandoned," from "de-" (away) + "relinquere" (to leave behind)
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin through Old French into English, meaning to leave something behind or abandon it
- •Historical development: Used since the 16th century to describe things or people left behind or neglected
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for buildings, ships, or people left without care or support
- •Key insight: The word combines the idea of leaving something completely and forgetting it so it becomes damaged or lost
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of something being derelict connect to feelings of loneliness or neglect in people?
•Can a place or object be derelict but still have value or importance? How might people see it differently?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The building was derelict because it had been ___ for many years without repairs or visitors.
2.Seeing a derelict neighborhood often makes people feel ___ about the community's future.
3.Unlike a well-maintained house, a derelict one is usually ___ and unsafe to enter.
4.The city council plans to ___ derelict properties to improve the area.
5.Many derelicts live in ___ conditions and need help from social services.
6.Derelict places often have broken windows, graffiti, and ___ roofs.
7.When a ship is called derelict, it means it has been left ___ and forgotten at sea.