juvenile delinquent

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.

juvenile delinquent

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of juvenile delinquent¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

“The Lincoln Highway,” by Amor TowlesThe author of “A Gentleman in Moscow” starts his new novel in 1954 Nebraska, as two brothers, headed to California to find their mother, get derailed by some juvenile delinquents.

From Washington Post

Fear of a purported wave of remorseless juvenile delinquents known as “superpredators” was sweeping the country, prompting lawmakers to pass stiffer penalties for young offenders.

From ProPublica

I was also the front for a juvenile delinquent roaming the streets of New York City and using me as a parental alibi.

From The Daily Beast

It also traces his days as a juvenile delinquent, and gradual rise up the R&B charts.

From The Daily Beast

When I was little, I was a kind of juvenile delinquent, but my father stayed on me.

From The Daily Beast

Now, the juvenile delinquent and artist formerly known as Marky Mark is at the top of the Hollywood food chain.

From The Daily Beast

Once someone asked him what J.D. stood for, and he famously told them, “juvenile delinquent.”

From The Daily Beast

The juvenile delinquent gangs had begun to realize the value of science.

From Project Gutenberg

They find out you're a juvenile delinquent, figure you've been out getting drunk, and toss you into jail for a week.

From Project Gutenberg

They actually reform the juvenile delinquent and bring up useful men, not hardened criminals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• delinquent
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• troublemaker