Derelict
adjective
Something that is abandoned and neglected, often a building or vehicle.
The derelict house was full of rats and other vermin, a danger to the neighbourhood.
Often appears as...
- derelict building
- derelict ship
adjective
A person who is negligent in their duty or obligation.
The derelict officer was fired for failing to respond to emergency calls.
Often appears as...
- derelict in duty
- derelict officer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A homeless or jobless person.
Many derelicts hang around the train station, seeking shelter and begging for change.
Often appears as...
- homeless derelict
- jobless derelict
adjective
Something that is abandoned and neglected, often a building or vehicle.
The derelict house was full of rats and other vermin, a danger to the neighbourhood.
Often appears as...
- derelict building
- derelict ship
adjective
A person who is negligent in their duty or obligation.
The derelict officer was fired for failing to respond to emergency calls.
Often appears as...
- derelict in duty
- derelict officer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A homeless or jobless person.
Many derelicts hang around the train station, seeking shelter and begging for change.
Often appears as...
- homeless derelict
- jobless derelict
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Abandonment
Use 'derelict' to describe places that are completely left alone and not taken care of.
The derelict factory has become a graffiti artist's canvas.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Derelict' often implies danger or dismay over something once functional now in disrepair.
You should avoid walking near that derelict bridge; it could collapse any time.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Decay
When 'derelict' is used, it often triggers a mental image of decay and rust.
Photographers explored the derelict mansion, capturing its crumbling beauty.
Pro Tip 1/3Abandonment
Use 'derelict' to describe places that are completely left alone and not taken care of.
The derelict factory has become a graffiti artist's canvas.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Derelict' often implies danger or dismay over something once functional now in disrepair.
You should avoid walking near that derelict bridge; it could collapse any time.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Decay
When 'derelict' is used, it often triggers a mental image of decay and rust.
Photographers explored the derelict mansion, capturing its crumbling beauty.
Pro Tip 1/3Abandonment
Use 'derelict' to describe places that are completely left alone and not taken care of.
The derelict factory has become a graffiti artist's canvas.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Derelict' often implies danger or dismay over something once functional now in disrepair.
You should avoid walking near that derelict bridge; it could collapse any time.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Decay
When 'derelict' is used, it often triggers a mental image of decay and rust.
Photographers explored the derelict mansion, capturing its crumbling beauty.
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Video examples
Reimagining Dinosaurs PIPE...
jeez well we had a field site that was on top of this like just huge tower of rock that took forever to climb up and so we were stuck up there is this little area i mean i won't mention how we had to deal with some other practical things when we uncovered the this site that had been derelict for a long time we found the
Video examples
The myth of Oisín and...
it felt as if a shadow had fallen over the world. On the hill where his father's palace lay, he saw only a ruin strewn with weeds. His calls for his friends and family echoed from derelict walls. Horrified, Oisín rode until he came upon a group of peasants working in the fields.
Video examples
Are ghost ships real? -...
began collecting monthly data that included navigation hazards, like derelict ships, whose locations were reported by passing vessels. So abandoned ships may not be moved by ghost crews or supernatural curses, but they are a real and fascinating phenomenon born through the ocean
Video examples
Finding Little Owls in...
He's seen something. Oh my god. Oh my God. It's a fox. Yes, that's probably what he was scared of. Oh, he's got something. What's he got? Let's go back. Is it a rabbit? I think it might be a rabbit. Yeah. Oh, in the day. Look, it's so weird seeing all the derelict buildings.
Video examples
Planet or Plastic? PIPE...
marine scientists and I said I really want to work on this issue and he replied nobody cares about that I was totally taken aback not expecting that answer and I said why and he said well maybe if you're in Alaska where derelict fishing gear is an issue or if you're in
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 329 PIPE...
one of the most untidy spider's webs that you will find it looks like a sort of I guess derelict gypsy colony if you like it is detritus all over the place it looks like the you know the male's clearly aren't doing anything to help
Video examples
Spotting the World's...
I'm on a mission to see what moves in after we've gone. We're heading to Wales to explore the biggest abandoned site we've tackled yet. More than 700 acres of slate landscape filled with abandoned quarries and derelict buildings
Video examples
Finding Baby Seals on an...
And here we are on an island, not that far away. It's just completely derelict and abandoned. Whoa, pretty strong. I just saved your life. Maybe we should stand a bit down. Let's go down to the safety.
Video examples
Why I love a country...
in the lowest part of our city, living with derelicts, drunkards and crazy people, the stench of urine all over, on the street, in the alley,
Video examples
Collection Obsession...
to collect on until I visited a derelict antique and junk yard
Video examples
Reimagining Dinosaurs PIPE...
jeez well we had a field site that was on top of this like just huge tower of rock that took forever to climb up and so we were stuck up there is this little area i mean i won't mention how we had to deal with some other practical things when we uncovered the this site that had been derelict for a long time we found the
Video examples
The myth of Oisín and...
it felt as if a shadow had fallen over the world. On the hill where his father's palace lay, he saw only a ruin strewn with weeds. His calls for his friends and family echoed from derelict walls. Horrified, Oisín rode until he came upon a group of peasants working in the fields.
Video examples
Are ghost ships real? -...
began collecting monthly data that included navigation hazards, like derelict ships, whose locations were reported by passing vessels. So abandoned ships may not be moved by ghost crews or supernatural curses, but they are a real and fascinating phenomenon born through the ocean
Video examples
Finding Little Owls in...
He's seen something. Oh my god. Oh my God. It's a fox. Yes, that's probably what he was scared of. Oh, he's got something. What's he got? Let's go back. Is it a rabbit? I think it might be a rabbit. Yeah. Oh, in the day. Look, it's so weird seeing all the derelict buildings.
Video examples
Planet or Plastic? PIPE...
marine scientists and I said I really want to work on this issue and he replied nobody cares about that I was totally taken aback not expecting that answer and I said why and he said well maybe if you're in Alaska where derelict fishing gear is an issue or if you're in
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 329 PIPE...
one of the most untidy spider's webs that you will find it looks like a sort of I guess derelict gypsy colony if you like it is detritus all over the place it looks like the you know the male's clearly aren't doing anything to help
Video examples
Spotting the World's...
I'm on a mission to see what moves in after we've gone. We're heading to Wales to explore the biggest abandoned site we've tackled yet. More than 700 acres of slate landscape filled with abandoned quarries and derelict buildings
Video examples
Finding Baby Seals on an...
And here we are on an island, not that far away. It's just completely derelict and abandoned. Whoa, pretty strong. I just saved your life. Maybe we should stand a bit down. Let's go down to the safety.
Video examples
Why I love a country...
in the lowest part of our city, living with derelicts, drunkards and crazy people, the stench of urine all over, on the street, in the alley,
Video examples
Collection Obsession...
to collect on until I visited a derelict antique and junk yard
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Bill Maher
American Comedian
Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable.
Quote examples
Diana Quick
English Actress
I buy most of my plants from nurseries outside London these days, but there is a man who mysteriously appears each February to sell plants from a derelict site in Market Road. I think he's Greek, but people say he comes from Essex. He vanishes at the end of May only to reappear in December as suddenly as he went.
Quote examples
Geddy Lee
Canadian Musician
I have such an extreme attitude about work, where I can just completely be derelict of my responsibilities and then when I am not derelict, I am completely indulged in it. I swing pretty wildly from the two extremes.
Quote examples
Linus Pauling
American Scientist
Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud, and that the major cancer research organizations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them.
Quote examples
Frank Serpico
American Celebrity
My acting career began on the streets of New York. When I was a cop, I played many impressive roles, from derelict to a doctor, and my life often depended on my performance.
Quote examples
Edith Pearlman
American Writer
Architecture is undistinguished, sometimes derelict, but occasionally, as in 'Post and Beam,' there is something arresting in a setting... the building behind the Cathedral.
Quote examples
Michael Bloomberg
American Politician
I'd be derelict in my duty if I didn't go and continue to use every advantage that I can to promote New York's cause.
Quote examples
William Sanderson
American Actor
When you play so many outcasts and derelicts, or even a murderer, you need to play someone healthy.
Quote examples
Richard Stanley
South African Director
The Roundhouse was a complete shell. It was absolutely empty, lying derelict for years.
Quote examples
Kevin Parker
Australian Musician
In high school, I was an absolute derelict.
Quote examples
Bill Maher
American Comedian
Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable.
Quote examples
Diana Quick
English Actress
I buy most of my plants from nurseries outside London these days, but there is a man who mysteriously appears each February to sell plants from a derelict site in Market Road. I think he's Greek, but people say he comes from Essex. He vanishes at the end of May only to reappear in December as suddenly as he went.
Quote examples
Geddy Lee
Canadian Musician
I have such an extreme attitude about work, where I can just completely be derelict of my responsibilities and then when I am not derelict, I am completely indulged in it. I swing pretty wildly from the two extremes.
Quote examples
Linus Pauling
American Scientist
Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud, and that the major cancer research organizations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them.
Quote examples
Frank Serpico
American Celebrity
My acting career began on the streets of New York. When I was a cop, I played many impressive roles, from derelict to a doctor, and my life often depended on my performance.
Quote examples
Edith Pearlman
American Writer
Architecture is undistinguished, sometimes derelict, but occasionally, as in 'Post and Beam,' there is something arresting in a setting... the building behind the Cathedral.
Quote examples
Michael Bloomberg
American Politician
I'd be derelict in my duty if I didn't go and continue to use every advantage that I can to promote New York's cause.
Quote examples
William Sanderson
American Actor
When you play so many outcasts and derelicts, or even a murderer, you need to play someone healthy.
Quote examples
Richard Stanley
South African Director
The Roundhouse was a complete shell. It was absolutely empty, lying derelict for years.
Quote examples
Kevin Parker
Australian Musician
In high school, I was an absolute derelict.
Example 1 of 10
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