tumbledown

The old tumbledown cottage stood alone in the overgrown field.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • In a state of disrepair: "tumbledown" describes a building or structure that is falling apart, dilapidated, and likely to collapse due to age or neglect.

Usage Examples

• (The house was in very poor condition.)
• (The castle was dilapidated and falling apart.)

Advanced Usage

• "a tumbledown shack": a small, poorly built, and decaying house.

  • The hermit lived in a tumbledown shack at the edge of the forest. (A very run-down dwelling.)

• "tumbledown condition": the state of being severely deteriorated.

  • The building was in a tumbledown condition, unsafe for anyone to enter. (Extremely dilapidated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tumble (verb): to fall or roll over suddenly.

  • The child tripped and took a tumble down the stairs. (A fall.)

• Tumbledownness (noun, rare): the quality of being dilapidated.

  • The tumbledownness of the barn was evident in its rotted beams. (The state of decay.)

Synonyms

• Dilapidated: in a state of disrepair or ruin.
• Ramshackle: loosely built and likely to collapse.
• Decrepit: worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
• Rundown: in poor condition, needing repair.

Related Idioms

• "Falling to pieces": becoming very worn or broken.
  • The old theatre is falling to pieces, just like a tumbledown structure. (In a state of decay.)
• "On its last legs": about to fail or collapse (often used for buildings).
  • That tumbledown bridge is on its last legs. (Very weak and unstable.)