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 English with a number of words, 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 also ultimately comes from relinquere. Relics, in the original sense of the term, are things treasured for their association with a saint or martyr—that is, objects saints and martyrs 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

Havel was delivering information about the agency’s plan to clear the bay of derelict vessels to comply with demands from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. —Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

As the deadline approached, people worked frantically to fix derelict vehicles. —Ana Swanson, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Noun

In the film, upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025

Today, many are boarded up, lying forlorn and derelict or caught in legal tangles between former owners’ descendants; others have been demolished to make way for modern developments, with the antiques and timber sold off by owners. —Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for derelict

• contradict
• interdict
• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict

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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