delinquency
Americannoun
plural
delinquencies-
failure in or neglect of duty or obligation; dereliction; default.
delinquency in payment of dues.
-
wrongful, illegal, or antisocial behavior.
-
any misdeed, offense, or misdemeanor.
-
something, as a debt, that is past due or otherwise delinquent.
noun
-
an offence or misdeed, usually of a minor nature, esp one committed by a young person See juvenile delinquency
-
failure or negligence in duty or obligation; dereliction
-
a delinquent nature or delinquent behaviour
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delinquency
1630–40; < Late Latin dēlinquentia fault, crime, equivalent to Latin dēlinquent- (stem of dēlinquēns, present participle of dēlinquere to do wrong, equivalent to dē- de- + linquere to leave) + -ia noun suffix; see -ency
Explanation
Delinquency is a minor crime, especially one committed by a youth. Cutting class all week to drive around town without your license is a sure sign of delinquency. Delinquency can mean a particular violation, like stealing a car, but it may also refer to a more general trend of acting out and violating the law, like stealing cars daily and crashing them many times over. In this sense it’s often called juvenile delinquency. Another sense of delinquency is general neglect, particularly by someone who holds a formal position. The word can also refer to an unpaid debt. You’re thinking about those unpaid library fines now, right?
Vocabulary lists containing delinquency
Speak
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"Declaration of Sentiments," Vocabulary from the public document
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"A&P" by John Updike
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This action supports the welfare of American children by exacting real consequences for child support delinquency under existing federal law," the department said in a statement.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
“Student loan delinquency is increasingly intertwined with distress across other credit markets,” the report says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
Bank executives and analysts note healthy credit, spending patterns, and improved delinquency rates compared to a year ago.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
But even if delinquency rates are showing signs of stabilization, Pierce said that’s not the full story.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
Perhaps the self- righteous Trotter would be put into jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
