delinquency
Delinquency (noun) means Minor criminal behavior, especially among young people. Example: “The youth center was set up to help reduce juvenile delinquency.”
How to use delinquency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither minor lawbreaking (especially by young people) or being behind on a payment.
Word forms
delinquencies plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The youth center was set up to help reduce juvenile _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin dēlinquentia, derived from Latin dēlinquēns, present participle of dēlinquō (“to transgress, err”). By surface analysis, delinquent + -cy
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for delinquency
Frequently asked questions
What does “delinquency” mean?
The word “delinquency” means minor criminal behavior, especially among young people. In plain terms, either minor lawbreaking (especially by young people) or being behind on a payment.
How do you pronounce “delinquency”?
“Delinquency” is pronounced dih-LIHNGK-wuhn-see (/dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “delinquency” in a sentence?
Here is “delinquency” used in a sentence: “The youth center was set up to help reduce juvenile delinquency.”
What part of speech is “delinquency”?
“Delinquency” is a noun.
How many meanings does “delinquency” have?
“Delinquency” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: minor criminal behavior, especially among young people.