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

After a year that’s seen credit card balances and delinquencies rise and one awful consumer confidence survey after another, shoppers could use a little optimism. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Nicole Bottiglierivega Miami-Dade Corrections Nicole Bottiglierivega, 42, faces charges of third-degree grand theft, contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, criminal mischief, and resisting an officer without violence. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Capital One jumped 3% after struggling last week amid worries about higher gasoline prices and credit delinquencies. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

The state’s delinquency rate also exceeds the national average across every debt type, with about 4% of balances at least 90 days past due. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 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