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

Credit score damage After 30 days of nonpayment, the creditor can report the delinquency to the credit bureaus. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

Similarly, the expiration of the pause in student loan payments last year sent delinquencies surging to nearly 8% from less than 1% before the pause expired, according to the New York Fed. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

The typical indicators of homeowner financial stress — mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure filings — are rising across the land. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

Edgar Coc-Sacul, 24, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025

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