derelict
Noun pluralderelicts
Pluralderelicts
Formsderelicts, derelicting, derelicted
- 1Left by its owner and not cared for, often in bad condition.
The kids were told to stay away from the derelict house on the corner.
The town plans to turn the derelict factory into apartments.
Note
- 2Not doing the job or duty that you are supposed to do.
The guard was derelict in his duty when he fell asleep at the gate.
The school board said the coach was derelict for not reporting the injury.
UsageSay derelict in your duty.
Similarnegligent, remiss, neglectful, careless
Oppositediligent, conscientious, dutiful
Note
- 3An unkind word for a person with no home or job, or who does not take care of themselves.
An old derelict asked us for spare change outside the station.
A group of derelicts slept under the bridge every night.
UsageIf the person has no home, say homeless person instead.
Similartramp, drifter, hobo, bum
Note
- 4Something left behind by its owner, especially a ship left floating at sea.
The rusty tractor in the field was a derelict that nobody ever came back for.
The fishing crew spotted a derelict drifting far out at sea.
Less common meanings
- 5A person who has been left alone, with no one to care for them.
A rather pathetic figure, the Lady Frances, a beautiful woman, still in fresh middle age, and yet, by a strange chance, the last derelict of what only twenty years ago was a goodly fleet.
1911, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax”Here, derelict means a person left behind or abandoned by others.Note
- 6To leave someone or something and give them up completely.
Had I not so marv'lously done / My works, ye had not had such heinous sin, / Of so damning, derelicting nature; / But now ye have no excuse, no cover.
1803, John Holmes, “On the Son of God in Union with the Father and the Holy Ghost”Here, derelicting means deserting or forsaking.[F]or the public, for the redemption of the whole world, God hath (shall we say, pretermitted?) derelicted, forsaken, abandoned, his own, and only Son.
a. 1632 (date written), John Donne, The Works of John DonneHere, derelicted means abandoned or deserted someone.Note
- 7To not do a duty that you should do.
I don't remember vowing to be calmly cheerful under the infliction of the Pottingers and others of that ilk; but I must have done it, or Arthur wouldn't look as if I was so flagrantly derelicting from my duty.
1869, Annie Thomas, “The Bride at Home”Here, derelicting means failing to do one's duty.Note
- 8A person who does not do the job or duty they should do.
- 9Lost and drifting, with nothing to guide you or hold you steady.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin derelictus, "completely abandoned", from a verb meaning "to abandon". It is related to relic and relinquish.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- Derelict comes from Latin derelictus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin derelictus means “completely abandoned”. en.wiktionary.org
- Derelictus comes from a verb meaning “to abandon”. en.wiktionary.org
- Derelict is etymologically related to relic and relinquish. en.wiktionary.org