To spell dilapidated, follow these steps: 1. Start with the letter "d", pronounced as the sound "duh". 2. Move on to the letter "i", pronounced as the sound "ai". 3. Then comes "l", pronounced as the sound "el".
dilapidate
Something that is dilapidated may not have been literally pummeled with stones, but it might look that way. Dilapidate derives from the past participle of the Latin verb dilapidare, meaning "to squander or destroy." That verb was formed by combining "dis-" with another verb, lapidare, meaning "to pelt with stones." From there it's just a stone's throw to some other English relatives of "dilapidate." You might, for example, notice a resemblance between "lapidare" and our word for a person who cuts or polishes precious stones, "lapidary." That's because both words share as a root the Latin noun lapis, meaning "stone." We also find "lapis" in the name "lapis lazuli," a bright blue semiprecious stone.
Then comes "l", pronounced as the sound "el". 4. After that is "a", pronounced as the sound "ah".
Examples of dilapidate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web By the 1980s, much of downtown was moribund; buildings that once thrummed with commerce were dilapidated and vacant or underused. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2023 Only about 70 of the calvary camp’s original 700 buildings remain and are dilapidated ghostly shadows of their once important past. — Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2023 At the center of the woods, off Haven Beach Road, was a solitary and dilapidated Colonial homestead that burned to the ground. — Bree Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023 Hamdok found that the legacy of 30 years of dictatorship meant that Sudan’s political and economic models were dilapidated. — Justin Lynch, CNN, 17 Apr. 2023 The apparent voter approval allows the village to proceed with construction of a new approximate 10,000 square foot clubhouse/pro shop replacing the existing clubhouse that was built nearly a century ago, and has been long been viewed as dilapidated by village officials. — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023 The initial goal was to repair and renovate it; however, this proved to be impossible as the original structure was too dilapidated. — Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 28 Mar. 2023 The towers would replace a four-acre debris heap where the famed but dilapidated Deauville Beach Resort from the 1950s sat until courts ordered it to be imploded. — Mark Bisnow, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2023 Two years ago the school board considered closing Reynolds and moving students and staff to nearby campuses because Reynolds’ 28 modular classrooms installed in 1987 were dilapidated and in need of replacement. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dilapidate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Meaning of dilapidated in English
Many of the structures that they study are either dilapidated, in serious disrepair, or slated for demolition.
From NJ.com The archdiocese argues it's dilapidated and not worth saving. From NPR This dilapidated pier served as a "fan zone" for people unable to secure tickets to the matches. From ESPNRegardless of the outcome, you may have just a few more months to see the chateau in its dilapidated state.
From Slate Magazine The more opulent a structure once was -- and the more dilapidated it currently is -- the better. From Huffington PostThe park, which houses 34 farmworkers and their families, has dilapidated homes and frequent outages.
From Los Angeles TimesOthers have been shaped by time and seem haphazardly dilapidated in a way that no conscious effort can ever achieve.
From The Atlantic It makes them look more dilapidated now than (they) did during the war. From CNNHe opens the front doors to the future luxury lodging, a grand, but dilapidated mansion about a hundred yards from the main palace.
From NPRDilapidated cities are like artistically abstracted urban zones, defined by crumbling walls, elegantly decrepit doors and defaced buildings.
From Huffington PostThe majority of my time was spent stretching the available troops to ensure the external security of the base and dealing with dilapidated infrastructure.
From The AtlanticAfter a decade of neglect, the dilapidated transport and energy infrastructure are being repaired and enhanced.
From The AtlanticTurn left then right around the church grounds and continue past boarded up, dilapidated storefronts.
From The AtlanticThese examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
5. Next is "p", pronounced as the sound "puh". 6. Moving on to "i" again, pronounced as the sound "ai". 7. Following that is "d" again, pronounced as the sound "duh". 8. The letter "a" follows, pronounced as the sound "ah". 9. Lastly, end with "t", pronounced as the sound "tuh", and "e", pronounced as the sound "ee". So, to spell dilapidated, it is: d-i-l-a-p-i-d-a-t-e-d..
Reviews for "The Art of Spelling Dilapidated the Right Way"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was disappointed with 'How to spell dilapidated.' The book claims to offer a comprehensive guide to spelling the word, but it only briefly mentions the correct spelling and then goes off on tangents about unrelated topics. I expected more specific examples and explanations to help me remember the spelling, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations."
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I found 'How to spell dilapidated' confusing and unhelpful. The author seems to have a disjointed writing style, jumping from one idea to another without providing clear guidance on spelling the word. Additionally, the book lacks practice exercises or mnemonic devices to aid in memorizing the correct spelling. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking assistance with spelling the word 'dilapidated.'"
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I was disappointed by 'How to spell dilapidated.' The author's approach to teaching spelling was scattered and inconsistent. The examples provided were not helpful, and the explanations often left me more confused than before. The lack of a systematic approach to learning spelling made it difficult for me to retain the correct spelling of 'dilapidated.' I would suggest looking for alternative resources if you're serious about improving your spelling skills."
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "I regret purchasing 'How to spell dilapidated.' The book's organization is nonsensical, jumping from spelling rules to unrelated anecdotes in a haphazard way. There is no clear step-by-step instruction or exercises to reinforce the correct spelling. It feels like the author was more interested in showcasing their writing skills rather than providing a helpful guide. Overall, this book was a waste of my time and money."
5. David - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'How to spell dilapidated,' but it failed to deliver. The author's writing style is convoluted and difficult to comprehend. The book lacks a clear structure and fails to provide practical tips for memorizing the correct spelling. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after reading this book. I would recommend seeking out other resources that offer a more systematic and effective approach to spelling."