Delinquency — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē/ de·lin·quen·cy

Meaning & Definition of Delinquency

Delinquency (noun)

  1. a delinquent act
  2. conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law; especially, juvenile delinquency
  3. a debt on which payment is overdue

Delinquency (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action

    "we received a notice in the mail informing us of our delinquency in paying our utility bill"

    similar: default, dereliction, failure, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight
    related: carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity
    near: compliance, discharge, fulfillment

  2. the quality or state of being late

    "delinquency of our mortgage payment meant that we would have to pay a surcharge"

    similar: belatedness, lateness, tardiness
    related: dilatoriness, sluggishness
    opposite: earliness, prematureness, prematurity
    near: promptitude, promptness, punctuality

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Delinquency

The most common words with a similar meaning to Delinquency:

default, dereliction, failure, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight, belatedness, lateness, tardiness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Delinquency

Words with the opposite meaning of Delinquency:

earliness, prematureness, prematurity

Related Words for Delinquency

carelessness, heedlessness, inadvertence, inadvertency, laxity, dilatoriness, sluggishness

Near Antonyms of Delinquency

compliance, discharge, fulfillment, promptitude, promptness, punctuality

Word Forms of Delinquency

Inflections: delinquencies

Origin & Etymology of Delinquency

delinqu(ent):2 + -ency

First known use: 1625

Words & Phrases Containing Delinquency

juvenile delinquency

Frequently Asked Questions about Delinquency

What does "Delinquency" mean?

"Delinquency" means a delinquent act. As a noun, it is defined as: a delinquent act. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Delinquency"?

Other words for "Delinquency" include default, dereliction, failure, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance and oversight. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Delinquency" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Delinquency"?

There are 18 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Delinquency". Common alternatives include default, dereliction, failure, misprision, neglect, negligence, nonfeasance, oversight, belatedness and lateness.

What is the opposite of "Delinquency"?

Antonyms of "Delinquency" include earliness, prematureness and prematurity. Near antonyms include compliance, discharge, fulfillment and promptitude.

How do you use "Delinquency" in a sentence?

Examples of "Delinquency" in a sentence: "we received a notice in the mail informing us of our delinquency in paying our utility bill"; "delinquency of our mortgage payment meant that we would have to pay a surcharge".

Is "Delinquency" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Delinquency" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Delinquency"?

"Delinquency" is pronounced /di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē/ and divided into syllables as de·lin·quen·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Delinquency"?

"Delinquency" comes from delinqu(ent):2 + -ency. First known use: 1625.