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Definition of dilapidated

dilapidated

/dɪˈlæpɪdeɪtɪd/
di · lap · i · dat · ed
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dilapidated Lexical Profile

dilapidated Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

(Of a building, vehicle, or object) in a state of disrepair, ruin, or decay as a result of age, neglect, or misuse.

Example

"The historical society raised funds to restore the dilapidated wooden barn on the edge of town."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dilapidated
Antonyms
View all antonyms for dilapidated

Word Nuance & Usage

Because the Latin root 'lapis' means 'stone', some traditionalists once argued that 'dilapidated' should only describe stone buildings, though in modern usage it applies freely to any structure, vehicle, or object in disrepair. Avoid the common mispronunciation and misspelling 'delapidated'.

• Nearby Words

dik-dik
dike
dikhow
dilapidated
dilate
dilation
dildo

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin dilapidatus, the past participle of dilapidare ('to scatter like stones, demolish, or squander'), formed from dis- ('apart') and lapis, lapidis ('stone').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dilapidated. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dilapidated
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