dilapider

squander

verb dee-lah-pee-DEH Rare

Origin: from Latin dilapidare, 'to scatter stones'

Also means

waste

Usage Note

Dilapider always implies reckless or irresponsible spending of money or resources. The past participle dilapidé is used as an adjective (une fortune dilapidée, 'a squandered fortune'). The related noun dilapidation (f) appears in legal contexts for misappropriation of funds.

Examples

"Il a dilapidé tout son héritage en quelques mois."

Natural Translation

He squandered his entire inheritance in a few months.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

How to Pronounce the French R (Step by Step)

The French R is a back-of-the-throat sound, not a rolled R. Learn the exact tongue position and a step-by-step drill to build it from sounds you already make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read