Disrepair is the condition of something that has fallen apart or broken down from lack of care or maintenance. When a building is in disrepair, its roof might leak, windows might be cracked, and paint might be peeling. The word suggests that something once worked properly but has deteriorated over time through neglect.

You might notice a playground in disrepair, with rusty swings, splintered wood, and broken equipment. An old bicycle left outside all winter could fall into disrepair, its chain rusted and tires flat. A neglected garden becomes overgrown and messy, in a state of disrepair.

The word carries a sense of sadness or waste. Something in disrepair wasn't destroyed suddenly; it declined gradually because no one took care of it. A historic theater might fall into disrepair over decades, or a once-beautiful park might become shabby from years without upkeep.

The opposite of disrepair is good repair or being well-maintained. When you take care of your belongings, keeping your bike clean and fixing problems quickly, you prevent them from falling into disrepair. Communities often work together to rescue important buildings from disrepair, restoring them to their former glory through hard work and attention.