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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2022

Warner said he had a teacher who became his mentor and encouraged his interest in drama, adding that it was a choice between acting or "being a juvenile delinquent".

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2022

Born Manuel Rodriguez in Buffalo, he was a self-described juvenile delinquent before dropping out of art school.

From New York Times ● Nov. 10, 2021

“Daddy left his computer laying around. Seems like he wanted to know all about his future juvenile delinquent superstar.”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Related Words

• delinquent
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• troublemaker