dilapidated

Intermediatezipf 3.05

Pronunciation

/dɪˈlæpɪdeɪtɪd/(dih-LAP-ih-day-tid)

Part of speech

adjectiveneutral

Chinese

破旧的;年久失修的

Definition

In a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

Word family

  • dilapidation/dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/(n)破损
  • dilapidate/dɪˈlæpɪdeɪt/(v)使破损

Collocations

  • dilapidated building
  • dilapidated house
  • dilapidated state
  • dilapidated infrastructure

Examples

  1. 1.The dilapidated warehouse had broken windows and a sagging roof. (falling apart)
  2. 2.Many rural schools operate in dilapidated buildings that desperately need repair. (run-down)

Synonyms

  • decrepit/dɪˈkrɛpɪt/worn out by age
  • ramshackle/ˈræmʃækəl/badly constructed, falling apart
  • derelict/ˈdɛrəlɪkt/abandoned and in poor condition

Etymology

from Latin "dilapidare" — di- (apart) + lapis (stone) — stones falling apart