delinquency

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Minor crime, especially by young people.

   Grammar: No plural; used for the general idea: 'a rise in delinquency'.

   Patterns

   • juvenile delinquency
   • delinquency rate

   The city started a program to reduce juvenile delinquency.

   Rates of delinquency have fallen since the new youth center opened.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablefinancelegal

   Failure to pay a debt or fulfill a duty on time.

   Grammar: Can be countable for a specific case: 'a delinquency on your account'.

   Patterns

   • delinquency on a loan
   • tax delinquency

   The bank charges a fee for any delinquency in your payments.

   His tax delinquency resulted in a penalty.

3. 3nouncountable

   A minor wrongdoing or misdeed.

   Grammar: Often in the plural: 'his delinquencies'.

   Patterns

   • commit a delinquency

   The report listed several delinquencies committed by the group.

   She was punished for her delinquencies.

Word forms

Common combinations

juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency is a major concern in urban areas.

delinquency rate

The delinquency rate for credit cards rose last quarter.

delinquency in

There was a delinquency in reporting the incident.

tax delinquency

Tax delinquency can lead to property seizure.

Synonyms and how they differ

crime

Broader and more serious; delinquency refers specifically to minor offenses, often by youths.

offense

A general term for a violation of the law; delinquency is more specific to minor or youthful offenses.

misconduct

Used for bad behavior in professional or formal settings; delinquency is usually legal or financial.

Word family

delinquent noun

A person, especially a young one, who commits minor crimes.

delinquent adjective

Describing someone or something that is delinquent; also used for debts not paid on time.

Commonly confused: delinquency or delicious?

Practice

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