Delinquent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /di-ˈliŋ-kwənt/ de·lin·quent

Meaning & Definition of Delinquent

Delinquent (noun)

  1. one that is delinquent
  2. a usually young person who regularly performs illegal or immoral acts
  3. a person or entity whose debt is overdue

Delinquent (adjective)

  1. offending by neglect or violation of duty or of law
  2. being overdue in payment
  3. of, relating to, or characteristic of people who regularly perform illegal or immoral acts, marked by delinquency

Delinquent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time

    "the bank was annoyed because our check was delinquent"

    similar: behind, behindhand, belated, late, latish, overdue, tardy
    related: delayed, detained, postponed, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky, slow, sluggish, unhurried
    opposite: early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely
    near: opportune, seasonable, timely, prompt, punctual

Delinquent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in bankrupt, incorrigible

    similar: bankrupt, derelict, incorrigible, sickie, sicko, blackguard, cad, heel, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scoundrel, villain, backslider, debauchee, debaucher, decadent, degenerate, deviate, libertine, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rakehell, rip, lecher, playboy, playgirl, satyr
    opposite: saint

Related Entry: Juvenile delinquent (noun)

Juvenile delinquent is a different word from Delinquent. The synonyms below are for juvenile delinquent, not for delinquent.

  1. a young person who has committed a crime

    similar: tearaway (British), bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, thug, tough, toughie, yob (British), yobbo (British), cutthroat, scoundrel, villain, assassin, bandit, bravo, brigand, criminal, crook, desperado, felon, gunman, highwayman, lawbreaker, mafioso, malefactor, offender, outlaw, perp, perpetrator, pirate, pickpocket, racketeer, robber, swindler, thief, vandal

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Delinquent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Delinquent:

behind, behindhand, belated, late, latish, overdue, tardy, bankrupt, derelict, incorrigible, sickie, sicko, blackguard, cad, heel, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scoundrel, villain, backslider, debauchee, debaucher, decadent, degenerate, deviate, libertine, perv, pervert, profligate, rake, rakehell, rip, lecher, playboy, playgirl, satyr

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Delinquent

Words with the opposite meaning of Delinquent:

early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely, saint

Related Words for Delinquent

delayed, detained, postponed, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky, slow, sluggish, unhurried

Near Antonyms of Delinquent

opportune, seasonable, timely, prompt, punctual

Word Forms of Delinquent

Derived words: delinquently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Delinquent

earlier, "person failing in a duty, offender," borrowed from Middle French delinquant, noun derivative from present participle of delinquer "to commit an offense," borrowed from Latin dēlinquere "to be lacking, fall short of an approved standard, misbehave, commit (an offense)" delinquent:2

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Delinquent

What does "Delinquent" mean?

"Delinquent" means one that is delinquent. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: one that is delinquent. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Delinquent"?

Other words for "Delinquent" include behind, behindhand, belated, late, latish, overdue, tardy and bankrupt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Delinquent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Delinquent"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Delinquent". Common alternatives include behind, behindhand, belated, late, latish, overdue, tardy, bankrupt, derelict and incorrigible.

What is the opposite of "Delinquent"?

Antonyms of "Delinquent" include early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely and saint. Near antonyms include opportune, seasonable, timely and prompt.

How do you use "Delinquent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Delinquent" in a sentence: "the bank was annoyed because our check was delinquent".

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

"Delinquent" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Delinquent"?

"Delinquent" is pronounced /di-ˈliŋ-kwənt/ and divided into syllables as de·lin·quent.

What is the origin of the word "Delinquent"?

"Delinquent" comes from earlier, "person failing in a duty, offender," borrowed from Middle French delinquant, noun derivative from present participle of delinquer "to commit an offense," borrowed from Latin dēlinquere "to be lacking, fall short of an approved standard, misbehave, commit (an offense)" delinquent:2. First known use: 15th century.