Delapidated vs. Dilapidated — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 25, 2024
"Delapidated" is a misspelling. The correct term is "Dilapidated," describing something in disrepair or ruin due to age or neglect.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Delapidated or Dilapidated
How to spell Dilapidated?
Delapidated
Incorrect Spelling
Dilapidated
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of “Dilapidated” buildings as “DI”lapidating over time.
The word has the rhythm di-la-pi-dated.
Remember the prefix "di-" as in "distant" or "diverse."
Associate "lapi" with "lapidate" which means to stone and think of something worn down like a stone.
Envision a building that's so old it’s “DIL-apidated.”
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How Do You Spell Dilapidated Correctly?
Incorrect: The furniture inside the house was completely delapidated.
Correct: The furniture inside the house was completely dilapidated.
Incorrect: They explored the delapidated buildings of the abandoned town.
Correct: They explored the dilapidated buildings of the abandoned town.
Incorrect: The old mansion looked delapidated and haunted.
Correct: The old mansion looked dilapidated and haunted.
Incorrect: A delapidated farmhouse stood at the end of the road.
Correct: A dilapidated farmhouse stood at the end of the road.
Incorrect: The delapidated bridge was no longer safe for crossing.
Correct: The dilapidated bridge was no longer safe for crossing.
Dilapidated Definitions
In poor condition due to neglect or age.
The old barn was dilapidated and unsafe.
Decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into disrepair.
The dilapidated bridge was closed to traffic.
Fallen into partial ruin.
The abandoned mansion stood dilapidated on the hill.
Broken-down and shabby.
The car was so dilapidated that it barely ran.
Weathered and damaged over time.
The fence was dilapidated after years of storms.
Having fallen into a state of disrepair or deterioration, as through neglect; broken-down and shabby.
Simple past tense and past participle of dilapidate
Having fallen into a state of disrepair or deterioration, especially through neglect.
Decayed; fallen into partial ruin; injured by bad usage or neglect.
A deserted and dilapidated buildings.
In deplorable condition;
A street of bedraggled tenements
A broken-down fence
A ramshackle old pier
A tumble-down shack
Dilapidated Meaning in a Sentence
The once majestic hotel now stood dilapidated and forgotten.
The dilapidated shed in the backyard was about to collapse.
She took photos of the dilapidated buildings for her art project.
The dilapidated fence couldn't keep the animals out any longer.
He restored a dilapidated classic car to its former glory.
They passed a dilapidated sign that pointed towards the old mine.
They filmed the horror movie in a dilapidated hospital.
The dilapidated boat sat moored, never to sail again.
Rain poured through the roof of the dilapidated cottage.
The children dared each other to enter the dilapidated mansion.
The dilapidated barn was a hazard to anyone who ventured inside.
The dilapidated bridge became a popular spot for photographers.
The dilapidated pier was a reminder of the town's bustling past.
Ivy covered the walls of the dilapidated castle.
The dilapidated playground equipment was eventually replaced.
A dilapidated scarecrow stood guard over the abandoned fields.
The city planned to demolish the dilapidated apartment buildings.
Artists found inspiration in the dilapidated urban landscape.
Despite its dilapidated appearance, the house was structurally sound.
The dilapidated warehouse district was scheduled for redevelopment.
Cats roamed the alleys between dilapidated houses.
The dilapidated state of the house made it unlivable.
The dilapidated facade of the building concealed a modern interior.
A dilapidated windmill stood at the edge of the field.
A dilapidated fence marked the boundary of the old farm.
Dilapidated Idioms & Phrases
Dilapidated charm
The appealing character that some buildings have despite being in disrepair.
Tourists were drawn to the dilapidated charm of the ancient village.
A dilapidated old wreck
Describing something very old and in bad condition, often a vehicle or building.
He somehow managed to drive that dilapidated old wreck.
In a dilapidated state
In very poor condition due to neglect or age.
The historic house was in a dilapidated state before the restoration.
Dilapidated structure
A building that is in poor condition.
The city issued a warning about the dangers of entering dilapidated structures.
Dilapidated elegance
The beauty that some see in old and decaying buildings.
The mansion retained a certain dilapidated elegance, even in ruin.
Beautify the dilapidated
The act of making something that is run-down look better.
The mural project was an attempt to beautify the dilapidated neighborhood.
Dilapidated beyond repair
So damaged or deteriorated that it cannot be fixed.
The storm left many houses dilapidated beyond repair.
Turn dilapidated
To become old, broken-down, and in need of repair.
The unused factory quickly turned dilapidated.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Dilapidated?
The root word is "dilapidate."
Why is it called Dilapidated?
The term comes from the Latin "dilapidare" meaning "to waste or squander," referring to things wasting away with time or neglect.
What is the verb form of Dilapidated?
The verb form is "dilapidate."
What is the pronunciation of Dilapidated?
It's pronounced as /dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd/.
Which preposition is used with Dilapidated?
Prepositions like "in" as in "in a dilapidated state" can be used.
Is Dilapidated an adverb?
No, it's not.
Which vowel is used before Dilapidated?
The vowel "i" is used.
Is Dilapidated a negative or positive word?
Generally negative, as it indicates neglect or disrepair.
Is Dilapidated a vowel or consonant?
It's a word containing both vowels and consonants.
What is the singular form of Dilapidated?
Dilapidated is an adjective and doesn't have a singular or plural form.
What is the plural form of Dilapidated?
Again, "dilapidated" is an adjective and does not have plural forms.
Which conjunction is used with Dilapidated?
Standard conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used.
Is Dilapidated a countable noun?
It's not a noun.
How many syllables are in Dilapidated?
Five syllables.
How do we divide Dilapidated into syllables?
Di-la-pi-da-ted.
Is Dilapidated a noun or adjective?
It's an adjective.
Is Dilapidated an abstract noun?
No, it's an adjective.
Is Dilapidated a collective noun?
No, it's not.
What part of speech is Dilapidated?
It's an adjective.
What is the third form of Dilapidated?
Dilapidated.
Is the word Dilapidated imperative?
No, it's an adjective.
What is the stressed syllable in Dilapidated?
The second syllable, "la," is stressed.
What is another term for Dilapidated?
Run-down or decrepit.
What is the opposite of Dilapidated?
Pristine or well-maintained.
Which determiner is used with Dilapidated?
Determiners like "that" or "this" can be used.
What is the second form of Dilapidated?
Dilapidated.
Which article is used with Dilapidated?
"A" or "the" can be used, depending on the context.
Is the Dilapidated term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but it can be used metaphorically.
What is the first form of Dilapidated?
The base form is "dilapidate."
How is Dilapidated used in a sentence?
The once-grand theater now stands dilapidated, a reminder of past glory.
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Diversed vs. DivergedAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
