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

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

Speaking to a crowd of relatives and activists in Montgomery, she said: "I guess you can say that now I am no longer a juvenile delinquent."

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2021

A brainy classmate helps a cocky juvenile delinquent find the right path in life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2020

“Was he a juvenile delinquent? Maybe they do have his fingerprints on file.”

From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• delinquent
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• troublemaker