noun
Uncommon
delinquent
dih-LIHNGK-wuhnt
Delinquent (noun) means Someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws. Example: “The film follows a group of teenage delinquents in 1950s New York.”
noun
1
Someone, especially a young person, who breaks rules or laws.
"The film follows a group of teenage delinquents in 1950s New York."
adjective
1
Overdue or unpaid, referring to a debt or bill.
"Her account was marked delinquent after months of missed payments."
How to use delinquent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rule-breaker (often a young offender), or describing a debt that's overdue.
Common pairings
juvenile delinquent
delinquent account
delinquent taxes
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Word forms
- Plural
- delinquents
- Comparative
- more delinquent
- Superlative
- most delinquent
Fill the gap
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The film follows a group of teenage _____ in 1950s New York.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French délinquant, which ultimately goes back to Latin delinquens, the present participle of delinquo.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for delinquent
See all rhymes for 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.
