What does delinquent mean?
A delinquent is someone who has failed to carry out a legal, moral, or financial obligation, and the word is most familiar today in two settings: criminal justice and personal finance. As a noun, it often refers to a juvenile delinquent — a young person who commits offences or behaves antisocially — while as an adjective it describes anything overdue or neglected, such as a delinquent loan, tax payment, or filing. The word comes from the Latin delinquere, meaning 'to fail' or 'to leave undone', and entered English in the seventeenth century through legal usage. Its connotations depend on context: in banking or law it is a precise, neutral term of art, but when applied to people, particularly children, it can sound harsh, stigmatizing, or old-fashioned. Writers often choose softer alternatives such as 'young offender' or 'at-risk youth' when tone matters. Understanding both its technical and colloquial senses makes 'delinquent' useful across legal, financial, and general writing.
A person who fails to perform a legal or moral duty, especially one who commits a minor offence; specifically, a juvenile who engages in antisocial or criminal behaviour.
"The programme aims to rehabilitate young delinquents rather than simply punish them."
Most commonly encountered in the fixed phrase 'juvenile delinquent'; in formal finance it also denotes a borrower or debtor who is past due.
Failing to fulfil an obligation or pay what is owed; overdue. Also: showing or characterized by a tendency to commit petty crime or misbehave.
"The company began charging late fees on delinquent accounts after sixty days."
Regular plural; used chiefly when referring to multiple offenders or debtors rather than the abstract sense.
"The charity mentors delinquents who have dropped out of school."
The same Latin verb that gave us 'delinquent' literally means 'to leave undone' — so every delinquent is, etymologically speaking, someone who left something undone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of delinquent
Delinquent derives from the Latin verb delinquere, formed from de- ('away from, thoroughly') plus linquere ('to leave'), originally meaning 'to leave undone' and hence 'to fail in duty' or 'to offend'. It passed into English in the seventeenth century via legal Latin and French, initially as an adjective describing failure in obligation before becoming established as a noun for an offending person. Its relatives include the noun delinquency and, more distantly, English words from linquere such as 'relinquish'.
Related word forms
How delinquent is actually used
In formal and financial contexts, 'delinquent' is neutral, describing accounts or obligations that are past due. When applied to people — especially 'juvenile delinquent' — it carries strong negative connotation and can sound judgemental or dated; modern social-work language often prefers terms like 'young offender'. In everyday speech it can be used half-jokingly to describe mildly naughty behaviour ('a delinquent streak').
Easily confused with delinquent
'Delinquent' is the noun/adjective referring to the person or thing at fault, while 'delinquency' is the abstract noun meaning the state of being delinquent or the offence itself.