delinquent
5 synonyms for delinquent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws.
“The film follows a group of teenage delinquents in 1950s New York.”
2. adjective
Overdue or unpaid, referring to a debt or bill.
“Her account was marked delinquent after months of missed payments.”
How to use delinquent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
juvenile delinquent
delinquent account
delinquent taxes
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French délinquant, which ultimately goes back to Latin delinquens, the present participle of delinquo.
Full origin of delinquent →Frequently asked questions
What does “delinquent” mean?
The word “delinquent” means someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws. In plain terms, a rule-breaker (often a young offender), or describing a debt that's overdue.
How do you pronounce “delinquent”?
“Delinquent” is pronounced dih-LIHNGK-wuhnt (/dɪˈlɪŋkwənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “delinquent” in a sentence?
Here is “delinquent” used in a sentence: “The film follows a group of teenage delinquents in 1950s New York.”
What is another word for “delinquent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “delinquent” include cavalier.
What part of speech is “delinquent”?
Depending on how it is used, “delinquent” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “delinquent” a common word?
“Delinquent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “delinquent” have?
“Delinquent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws.
