Derelict — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈder-ə-ˌlikt/ der·e·lict

Meaning & Definition of Derelict

Derelict (adjective)

  1. abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; also, run-down
  2. failing to do what should be done, negligent

Derelict (noun)

  1. 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
  3. a tract of land left dry by receding water

Derelict (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. failing to give proper care and attention

    "the guards were judged derelict in their duty"

    similar: careless, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack
    related: heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild, unguarded, unwary, forgetful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested, delinquent, loose
    opposite: attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
    near: meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible, thinking, thoughtful, concerned, interested

  2. left unoccupied or unused

    "purchased an old derelict mansion that was rumored to be haunted"

    similar: abandoned, deserted, desolate, disused, forgotten, forsaken, rejected, vacant, vacated, void
    related: ignored, neglected, unattended, untended, castaway, cast-off, discarded, jettisoned, junked, refuse, waste, godforsaken, miserable, shabby, wretched, empty, idle
    near: reclaimed, recovered, redeemed, rescued, retrieved, salvaged, saved, reconditioned, rehabbed, rehabilitated, restored, repeopled

Derelict (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an idle worthless person

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

    similar: bum, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, slacker, vagrant
    related: hobo, sundowner (Australian), tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, panhandler, dodger, goldbrick, shirker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard, down-and-out, indigent, pauper
    near: success, winner

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Derelict

The most common words with a similar meaning to Derelict:

careless, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack, abandoned, deserted, desolate, disused, forgotten, forsaken, rejected, vacant, vacated, void, bum, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, slacker, vagrant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Derelict

Words with the opposite meaning of Derelict:

attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent

Related Words for Derelict

heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild, unguarded, unwary, forgetful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested, delinquent, loose, ignored, neglected, unattended, untended, castaway, cast-off, discarded, jettisoned

Near Antonyms of Derelict

meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible, thinking, thoughtful, concerned, interested, reclaimed, recovered, redeemed, rescued

Word Forms of Derelict

Inflections: derelicts

Origin & Etymology of Derelict

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

First known use: 1649

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Derelict

Frequently Asked Questions about Derelict

What does "Derelict" mean?

"Derelict" means abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; also, run-down. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; also, run-down. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Derelict"?

Other words for "Derelict" include careless, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent and remiss. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Derelict" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Derelict"?

There are 93 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Derelict". Common alternatives include careless, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack and abandoned.

What is the opposite of "Derelict"?

Antonyms of "Derelict" include attentive, careful, conscientious and nonnegligent. Near antonyms include meticulous, painstaking, punctilious and cautious.

How do you use "Derelict" in a sentence?

Examples of "Derelict" in a sentence: "the guards were judged derelict in their duty"; "purchased an old derelict mansion that was rumored to be haunted"; "a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts".

Is "Derelict" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Derelict" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Derelict" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Derelict" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Derelict"?

"Derelict" is pronounced /ˈder-ə-ˌlikt/ and divided into syllables as der·e·lict.