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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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
decrepit

Describing something old, worn-out, and in very poor condition, often referring to age and physical deterioration. This term can also be used to describe people who are very old and weak.

  • The decrepit building was an eyesore in the middle of the city.
  • The old man felt decrepit after his long illness.
dilapidated

Used to describe structures or objects that are in a state of disrepair or ruin due to neglect. This term typically applies to buildings and other physical structures.

  • They bought a dilapidated house and spent years restoring it.
  • The dilapidated barn looked like it would collapse at any moment.
run-down

Describing something or someone tired, in poor condition, or neglected, often due to a lack of maintenance or care. This term is usually used for buildings, places, or people.

  • The run-down factory had been abandoned for years.
  • After working long hours, she felt completely run-down.
shabby

Refers to something that looks old, worn-out, and not well taken care of. This term can describe things like clothing, furniture, or places. It sometimes implies an element of neglect or lack of respect.

  • The shabby couch looked like it had seen better days.
  • He wore a shabby coat that had clearly been mended many times.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
decrepit

This word is often used to describe something that is worn out due to age or neglect. It can be used for objects, buildings, and sometimes people, usually with a negative connotation.

  • The decrepit old house looked like it might collapse any moment
  • His decrepit car broke down again
deteriorated

This term generally refers to the process of becoming worse over time. It can be used for objects, conditions, or even relationships.

  • The condition of the road has deteriorated over the years
  • Their friendship deteriorated after the argument
weakened

This word is used to describe someone or something that has lost strength or power. It can refer to physical, emotional, or structural weakening.

  • The defenses were weakened after the prolonged siege
  • She felt weakened by the illness
frail

Primarily used to describe someone (usually elderly) or something that is physically weak or delicate.

  • The frail old man needed help to walk
  • The frail petals of the flower were easily damaged

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.