derelict

/ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/

//ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"derelict" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“derelict” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #25,350 in English word frequency and used as an adjective.

#25,350
frequency rank, English
8
letters
12
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Given up by the guardian or owner; abandoned, forsaken.

Key facts for derelict
PropertyValue
Headwordderelict
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/
Letters8
Frequency rank#25,350
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “derelict” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). derelict lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for derelict is 8 letters long, classified as an adjective, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/. Corpus data places it at rank #25,350 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 5 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for derelict, with forms such as "dderelict", "deerlict", and "dereilct". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: PIE word *de The adjective and verb are a learned borrowing from Latin dērelictus (“(completely) abandoned, deserted, forsaken; discarded”), the perfect passive participle of dērelinquō (“to abandon, desert, forsake; to discard”), from dē- (prefix meaning … The correct English form is derelict, spelled D-E-R-E-L-I-C-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    Given up by the guardian or owner; abandoned, forsaken.
  2. 2
    Given up by the guardian or owner; abandoned, forsaken.
  3. 3
    Of property: in a poor state due to abandonment or neglect; dilapidated, neglected.
  4. 4
    Adrift, lost.
  5. 5
    Negligent in performing a duty; careless.

Etymology

PIE word *de The adjective and verb are a learned borrowing from Latin dērelictus (“(completely) abandoned, deserted, forsaken; discarded”), the perfect passive participle of dērelinquō (“to abandon, desert, forsake; to discard”), from dē- (prefix meaning ‘away from; completely, thoroughly’) + relinquō (“to abandon, desert, forsake, leave (behind); to depart (from); to give up, relinquish”) (from Proto-Italic *wrelinkʷō, from *wre (“again”) (whence Latin rē- (prefix meaning ‘again’)) + *linkʷō (“to leave”) (whence linquō (“to forsake; depart from, leave, quit”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leykʷ- (“to leave”))). Doublet of relict, relic, and relinquish. The noun is derived from the adjective.

This word in other languages

abandonado(Español)abandonné(Français)aufgegeben(Deutsch)derelito(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: dderelict,deerlict,dereilct,derelcit,derelicct,derelictt,derelitc,derellict,derleict,derrelict,dreelict,edrelict

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of derelict - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

dderelict1deerlict2dereilct2derelcit2derelicct1derelictt1derelitc2derellict1
Edit distance from "derelict"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "derelict"?
"derelict" is spelled D-E-R-E-L-I-C-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/.
What does "derelict" mean?
As an adjective, "derelict" means: Given up by the guardian or owner; abandoned, forsaken.
What are common misspellings of "derelict"?
Common misspellings include "dderelict", "deerlict", "dereilct", "derelcit", "derelicct". The correct spelling is "derelict".
How do you pronounce "derelict"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "derelict" is /ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "derelict"?
PIE word *de The adjective and verb are a learned borrowing from Latin dērelictus (“(completely) abandoned, deserted, forsaken; discarded”), the perfect passive participle of dērelinquō (“to abandon, desert, forsake; to discard”), from dē- (prefi... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “derelict”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-E-R-E-L-I-C-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈdɛr.ə.lɪkt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list