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Decrepit: meaning, definitions and examples

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decrepit

 

[ ˈdɛkrəpɪt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

old age

We saw a decrepit old man hobbling down the street, leaning heavily on his cane. His wrinkled face and trembling hands spoke of a long and difficult life.

Synonyms

dilapidated, run-down, shabby

Examples of usage

  • The decrepit house stood abandoned, its windows boarded up and its roof caving in.
  • She struggled to care for her decrepit grandmother, whose memory was failing and body frail.
  • The decrepit car sputtered to a stop on the side of the road, smoke billowing from under the hood.
Context #2 | Adjective

weakness or deterioration

Years of neglect had left the once majestic castle in a decrepit state, with crumbling walls and overgrown vegetation taking over.

Synonyms

deteriorated, frail, weakened

Examples of usage

  • The decrepit bridge could barely support the weight of a single person, its rusted beams creaking under the strain.
  • She felt her body growing decrepit with each passing year, her joints stiff and her muscles weak.

Translations

Translations of the word "decrepit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 decrépito

🇮🇳 जीर्ण

🇩🇪 verfallen

🇮🇩 rapuh

🇺🇦 знесилений

🇵🇱 zniszczony

🇯🇵 老朽化した

🇫🇷 décrépit

🇪🇸 decrépito

🇹🇷 köhne

🇰🇷 노쇠한

🇸🇦 متهدم

🇨🇿 zchátralý

🇸🇰 zchátralý

🇨🇳 破旧的

🇸🇮 propadli

🇮🇸 úreltur

🇰🇿 тозған

🇬🇪 დამწვარი

🇦🇿 köhnə

🇲🇽 decrépito

Etymology

The word 'decrepit' originated from the Latin word 'decrepitus', which means 'worn out' or 'broken down'. It first appeared in English in the late 15th century, originally used to describe something that was worn out or feeble due to old age. Over time, its usage expanded to include anything that is in a state of disrepair or weakness. The word has retained its connotation of age-related deterioration, and is commonly used to describe buildings, objects, or people that are old and in poor condition.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,888, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.