delinquency

noun

de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē 

-ˈlin-

plural delinquencies

1

a

: a delinquent act

b

: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law

especially : juvenile delinquency

2

: a debt on which payment is overdue

Synonyms of delinquency

• negligence
• neglect
• default
• failure
• oversight

Examples of delinquency in a Sentence

They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store.

She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

a series of minor delinquencies

a high rate of delinquency

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t ignore delinquency Delinquency comes before default. —Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026

An additional 6 million borrowers are in delinquency, according to an analysis from the American Enterprise Institute. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026

However, the Third District reversed the portion of the trial court’s ruling finding that the association failed to establish the amount of the delinquency. —Awilda Esteras, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026

Consumer debt broadly surged in 2025, with the first three months of the year marking the highest level of debt delinquency since the pandemic. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

delinqu(ent) entry 2 + -ency

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing delinquency

• juvenile delinquency

Medical Definition

delinquency

noun

de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin- 

plural delinquencies

: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law

especially : juvenile delinquency

Legal Definition

delinquency

noun

de·​lin·​quen·​cy di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē 

plural delinquencies

1

a

: the quality or state of being delinquent

b

: juvenile delinquency

contributing to the delinquency of a minor

2

: a debt on which payment is overdue

consumer loan delinquencies