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derelict

adjective · noun · verb

Simple meaning

Given up by the guardian or owner.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

dehruhlikt

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US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈdɛɹəlɪkt

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

adjective

  1. Given up by the guardian or owner; abandoned, forsaken.

  2. by extension

    Of property: in a poor state due to abandonment or neglect; dilapidated, neglected.

  3. chiefly us

    Negligent in performing a duty; careless.

  4. figurative

    Adrift, lost.

noun

  1. countablechiefly us

    A person who is negligent in performing a duty.

  2. uncountable

    Property abandoned by its former guardian or owner; (countable) an item of such property.

verb

  1. transitive

    To abandon or forsake (someone or something).

  2. intransitive

    To neglect a duty.

Word at a Glance

Frequency
Uncommon

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

derelict landderelict housederelict buildingnow derelict

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.