delinquent

²delinquent

adj

Definition of DELINQUENT

1

: offending by neglect or violation of duty or of law

2

: being overdue in payment <a delinquent charge account>

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of delinquents : marked by delinquency <delinquent behavior>

— de·lin·quent·ly adverb

Examples of DELINQUENT

1. a school for delinquent children
2. His delinquent behavior could lead to more serious problems.
3. The town is trying to collect delinquent taxes.

Origin of DELINQUENT

Latin delinquent-, delinquens, present participle of delinquere to fail, offend, from de- + linquere to leave — more at loan

First Known Use: 1603

Related to DELINQUENT

Synonyms: behind, behindhand, belated, late, latish, overdue, tardy

Antonyms: early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely

Related Words: delayed, detained, postponed; dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky (or pokey), slow, sluggish, unhurried

Near Antonyms: opportune, seasonable, timely; prompt, punctual

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