derelict

What does “derelict” mean?

noun.in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages discussing urban decay, social issues, or historical contexts, emphasizing neglect and abandonment. It implies a sense of deterioration and loss, distinguishing it from similar words like "neglected," which may not convey the same extent of ruin or disregard.

Common Confusions

Derelict implies a state of severe neglect and deterioration, while neglected usually suggests a lack of attention without necessarily indicating the same extent of decay or ruin.

Example Sentences

• There was a derelict ship on the island.

• The derelict building had been abandoned for decades and was falling apart.

Word Parts: How to Remember “derelict”

Break “derelict” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)