decrepit Hear it!

decrepit Definition

de·crepit (dē krep′it, di-)

adjective

broken down or worn out by old age, illness, or long use

Etymology: ME & OFr < L decrepitus < de-, intens. + crepitus, pp. of crepare, to creak, rattle (in LL, to burst, die): see craven

decrepit Related Forms

de·crep′·itly adverb

decrepit Synonyms

decrepit

modif.

infirm, feeble, dilapidated, frail; see old 1, 2, weak 1, 2. See syn. study at weak.

decrepit Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • state: Knighton wrote: However, given the decrepit state of most of the buildings, I have to disagree with the idea of renovation.
  • building: Roll up, roll up, to cast your vote in the BBC's beauty contest for decrepit old buildings.
  • picture: Look like one of the decrepit pictures, he was nine o'clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him from his slumbers.
  • house: Holly Black was born in a decrepit Victorian house in New Jersey.
  • man: A thin, somewhat decrepit man slowly edged in.
  • body: I shall not stop until I've shown this this poet of decrepit bodies the insolent idiot that he is!

Modifying Another Word

  • increasingly: Regardless of the ever-increasing workload shouldered by working people, industry is in an increasingly decrepit state.
  • too: As many as I can fit in before I'm too decrepit to operate a computer.
  • very: MURPHY was thought to be for sale to Mr. T. Burdett, and also that it was " very decrepit " .
  • somewhat: A thin, somewhat decrepit man slowly edged in.
  • now: The structure which foreshadowed the beauties of Art Deco architecture is now decrepit, boarded up and marked for demolition.
  • rather: At this spot there is a line of rather decrepit trees, bent at odd angles by the strong prevailing winds.

Used with adjective complement

  • appear: Healthy appearing decrepit 69 year old male, mentally alert but forgetful.
  • grow: How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?