Delinquent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɪˈlɪŋkwÉ™nt/

Origin

From Middle French délinquant

Full definition of delinquent

Adjective

1. Late or failing to pay a debt or other financial obligation, like a mortgage or loan.Fred is delinquent in making his car payment.The company made a new effort to collect delinquent payments.
2. Failing in or neglectful of a duty or obligation; guilty of a misdeed or offense

Synonyms

• (late or failing to pay a debt) defaulting

Derived terms

• delinquency
• juvenile delinquent
• moral delinquent

Noun

1. One who disobeys or breaks rules or laws.
2. (obsolete) a term applied to royalists by their opponents in the English Civil War 1642 - 1645. Charles I was known as the chief delinquent.

Synonyms