What does delinquently mean?
"Delinquently" is an adverb meaning in a manner that neglects or fails to fulfil a duty, obligation, or responsibility. It is most often found in formal, legal, and administrative writing, where it describes conduct such as failing to pay debts, missing filings, or neglecting fiduciary duties: a trustee who ignores required reports acts delinquently. A second, far less common sense applies the word to mildly mischievous or disreputable behaviour, echoing the everyday sense of "delinquent" as a troublemaker — a child might grin delinquently after some small act of naughtiness. The word derives from the Latin delinquere, "to fail or offend," via English "delinquent." Because the noun "delinquency" and the adjective "delinquent" dominate everyday usage, "delinquently" is encountered comparatively rarely, which gives it a distinctly formal, even bureaucratic flavour when it does appear. Writers seeking a precise, authoritative term for culpable negligence will find it useful.
adverbIn a manner that fails to fulfil a duty, obligation, or responsibility; negligently or wrongfully in the discharge of one's duties. It can also describe behaving in a way that is mildly disapproved of or mischievous.
- Failing to perform a duty or obligation; negligently or wrongfully.
- In a manner characteristic of juvenile misbehaviour or petty wrongdoing.
"The trustee acted delinquently by failing to file the required reports for three consecutive years."
"The company was found to have acted delinquently in its handling of customer complaints."
"He grinned delinquently as he slipped the last biscuit from the tin."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of delinquently
"Delinquently" derives from the Latin verb delinquere, meaning "to fail in duty, to offend, or to transgress," formed from de- (indicating removal or failure) and linquere ("to leave"). English adopted "delinquent" as both adjective and noun, with the adverb "delinquently" following as a natural derivation. Related words from the same Latin root include "delinquency" and, more distantly through legal Latin, "delict." The word has carried connotations of failing obligations since its adoption into English.
Related word forms
How delinquently is actually used
A relatively rare adverb, used chiefly in formal, legal, and administrative contexts. The second sense (mischievous behaviour) is informal and much less common than the first. The noun 'delinquency' and adjective/noun 'delinquent' are far more frequent than the adverb.
Easily confused with delinquently
'Delinquently' means failing in duty or behaving wrongfully, while 'deliriously' means in a state of delirium or extreme excitement.