Dilapidation means: The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
dilapidation
The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.
Origin: From dilapidate. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents
Dilapidation means: The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
dilapidation means: The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.. Register: dated, informal. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(British, legal) Ecclesiastical waste: impairing of church property by an incumbent, through neglect or intentionally.
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(legal) The act of dilapidating, damaging a building or structure through neglect or intentionally.
Cluster: general
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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UK
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Other words near "dilapidation" (D)
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