delinquency

American  

[dih-ling-kwuhn-see] / dɪˈlɪŋ kwən si /

noun

plural

delinquencies

1. failure in or neglect of duty or obligation; dereliction; default.

   delinquency in payment of dues.

2. wrongful, illegal, or antisocial behavior.

3. any misdeed, offense, or misdemeanor.

4. something, as a debt, that is past due or otherwise delinquent.

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delinquency British  

/ dɪˈlɪŋkwənsɪ /

noun

1. an offence or misdeed, usually of a minor nature, esp one committed by a young person See juvenile delinquency

2. failure or negligence in duty or obligation; dereliction

3. a delinquent nature or delinquent behaviour

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Other Word Forms

• predelinquency noun

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; -ency

Example Sentences

Credit-card delinquency rates for low- and medium-income borrowers are now higher than at the prepandemic economic peak, according to economist Breno Braga with the Urban Institute think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

If these borrowers lose the chance to enroll in these more affordable repayment plans, it could push them toward delinquency and default.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Moreover, Affirm’s 30-day delinquency rates were stable or slightly lower in December, to 2.7% from 2.8% in September.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

One in five borrowers is already in delinquency or default, including 33 percent of those with some college but no degree.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

If in this wandering narrative I seem to have cut the cords of family joys and sorrows, of Junior’s current delinquency and junior Junior’s new tooth, of business triumph and agony, it is not so.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• default