derelict
gb/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt/ us/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt/
C1
English
elhagyott, romos, hanyag, gazdátlan, rom, roncs, csöves
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[derelict building/house/factory/land/vehicle]
They bought a derelict farmhouse and spent two years restoring it.
Vettek egy elhagyott, romos parasztházat, és két évet töltöttek a felújításával.
The council wants to turn the derelict lot into a small park.
Az önkormányzat az elhagyott telket kis parkká akarja alakítani.
A row of derelict shops made the street feel unsafe at night.
Learner examples
That house is derelict now.
Az a ház most már elhagyott és romos.
We walked past a derelict factory.
Elmentünk egy elhagyott gyár mellett.
Common mistake:
Don’t use derelict to mean simply 'dirty' or 'old' if the place is still in use; it suggests abandonment or serious neglect.
Meaning
abandoned and in bad condition
Collocations
derelict building
|derelict house
|derelict factory
|derelict warehouse
|derelict lot
|derelict land
|derelict car
|a derelict property
|a derelict site
|a derelict area
Synonyms
abandoned (most general and common substitute.)
|
dilapidated (emphasizes being broken down or decayed.)
|
run-down (more everyday; may be less extreme than derelict.)
|
neglected (focuses on lack of care rather than being empty.)
Antonyms
occupied (in use by people or activity.)
|
well-maintained (kept in good condition through regular care.)
|
renovated (restored or improved after damage or age.)
Themes
housing
|cities
|daily_life
Definition
Not used anymore and in bad condition.
Left unused and uncared for, and usually in a very poor condition.
C1
FORMAL
2
hanyag
B2
Usage pattern:
derelict in [one's] duty / derelict in [doing something]
The report said senior managers had been derelict in their responsibilities.
A jelentés szerint a felsővezetők hanyagul látták el a rájuk bízott feladatokat.
He was disciplined for being derelict in the performance of his duties.
Fegyelmit kapott, mert hanyag volt a kötelességei teljesítésében.
The committee argued the agency was derelict in enforcing the rules.
Learner examples
A guard was derelict in his duty.
Az őr hanyag volt a kötelessége teljesítésében.
She was not derelict; she worked carefully.
Nem volt hanyag; gondosan dolgozott.
Common mistake:
This sense is about responsibility (often in formal contexts), not about buildings or places.
Meaning
negligent; failing in duties
Collocations
derelict in his duty
|derelict in their responsibilities
|derelict in office
|derelict in his duties
|derelict in the performance of duty
|be derelict
|found derelict
|grossly derelict
|accused of being derelict
|derelict leadership
Synonyms
negligent (standard legal/formal word; very close in meaning.)
|
remiss (formal; stresses careless failure to act.)
|
irresponsible (broader and more general than derelict.)
Antonyms
diligent (careful and hardworking in carrying out duties.)
|
responsible (reliable and accountable for duties.)
|
conscientious (guided by a strong sense of duty.)
Themes
work
|law
|government
Definition
Not doing your duty or responsibilities.
Failing to do what you should do, especially your duties or responsibilities.
C1
TECHNICAL
3
gazdátlan
B2
Usage pattern:
[derelict ship/vessel/boat]
The coast guard located a derelict vessel drifting near the shipping lane.
A parti őrség egy gazdátlanul sodródó hajót talált a hajózási útvonal közelében.
Divers inspected the derelict boat before it was towed to shore.
A búvárok megvizsgálták a gazdátlan csónakot, mielőtt a partra vontatták.
Learner examples
They found a derelict ship at sea.
A tengeren egy gazdátlan hajót találtak.
Common mistake:
In this sense, derelict usually describes vessels; it does not simply mean 'old boat'.
Meaning
abandoned ship drifting at sea
Collocations
derelict ship
|derelict vessel
|a derelict boat
|a derelict freighter
|derelict at sea
|derelict in open water
|a derelict barge
|report a derelict vessel
|tow a derelict vessel
|a drifting derelict
Synonyms
abandoned (general; does not necessarily imply drifting.)
|
adrift (emphasizes drifting; may not imply abandonment.)
Antonyms
manned (operated by a crew.)
|
operational (working and under control.)
Themes
transport
|nature
|travel
Definition
A ship left with no crew, drifting on the water.
Used to describe a ship or boat that has been abandoned and is drifting without control, especially at sea.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a derelict / derelicts
The developers bought several derelicts and turned them into apartments.
Az ingatlanfejlesztők több romot vettek, és lakásokká alakították őket.
The old cinema had become a derelict at the edge of town.
A régi mozi a város szélén már csak egy rom volt.
Learner examples
That derelict was empty for years.
Az a rom évekig üresen állt.
Common mistake:
As a noun, derelict usually refers to a thing (like a building); if it refers to a person, it can sound insulting (see separate meaning).
Meaning
an abandoned building or vehicle
Collocations
an urban derelict
|a derelict property
|a derelict building
|a derelict structure
|a derelict site
|board up derelicts
|demolish derelicts
|convert derelicts
|derelicts on the waterfront
|a cluster of derelicts
Synonyms
ruin (often older or historic; not necessarily abandoned recently.)
|
wreck (especially for vehicles; emphasizes severe damage.)
Antonyms
landmark (a notable, maintained building or site.)
|
showpiece (something kept in excellent condition and displayed proudly.)
Themes
housing
|transport
|cities
Definition
An old building or vehicle that is left and not used.
A building, vehicle, or similar thing that has been abandoned and left in poor condition.
NOUN
C2
SLANG
5
csöves
B1
Usage pattern:
a derelict / derelicts
The article criticized the way the media referred to homeless people as “derelicts.”
A cikk bírálta, hogy a média „csöveseknek” nevezte a hajléktalanokat.
He apologized for using the word “derelict,” saying it was disrespectful.
Bocsánatot kért amiatt, hogy a „csöves” szót használta, mondván, hogy az tiszteletlen.
Common mistake:
Avoid using this meaning in polite conversation; use 'homeless person' instead.
Meaning
a homeless person (insulting)
Collocations
a street derelict
|treated as derelicts
|called him a derelict
Synonyms
vagrant (older/formal; can also sound negative.)
|
tramp (often offensive in modern use.)
Antonyms
homeowner (someone who owns and lives in a home.)
|
housed (having stable accommodation.)
Themes
society
|people
|health
Definition
An insulting word for a homeless person.
A homeless person, especially one who appears very unclean or affected by addiction; this use is often considered insulting or offensive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
derelict
IPA
GB/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt/
US/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt/
Syllables & stress
derel - ict (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (derel)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: derelict
Noun
- Base: derelict
- Plural: derelicts
Word family
Forms
derelicts
noun
Core family
dereliction
noun
Expressions
derelict in one's duty
1/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt ˈɪn wˈʌnz dˈuti/
fixed phrase
formal
failing to do your duty
Not doing your job or duty properly.
Examples
- The judge said the company had been derelict in its duty of care.
- Officers who are derelict in their duty may face discipline.
Learner examples
- He was derelict in his duty.
derelict of duty
1/dˈɛɹəlˌɪkt əv dˈuti/
fixed phrase
formal
negligent in duty
Not doing what you should do in your job.
Examples
- The officer was accused of being derelict of duty after leaving the post unattended.
- Critics said the agency was derelict of duty in failing to act sooner.