juvenile delinquent

American  

noun

1. a minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence.

2. a child or youth characterized by juvenile delinquency.

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juvenile delinquent British  

noun

1. a child or young person guilty of some offence, act of vandalism, or antisocial behaviour or whose conduct is beyond parental control and who may be brought before a juvenile court

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Etymology

Origin of juvenile delinquent

First recorded in 1810–20

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

juvenile delinquent

Unity, to make a long story longer, was in the air that year — and not just because my separated parents were bonding over their juvenile delinquent son.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

She previously worked as a case worker in a juvenile delinquent transitional home and her boyfriend coaches a basketball team.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2024

If the Avengers are swaggering mall cops who maintain order for the purpose of selling T-shirts and toys, Shazam is the juvenile delinquent shoplifting their dignity.

From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2023

In my first film, I played a juvenile delinquent — Barbara Hanley.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2022

He no longer thought of himself as Cole Matthews, a juvenile delinquent from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen

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Related Words

• delinquent
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• troublemaker

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