delinquent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "delinquent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone (or something) that has failed to meet an obligation or to act responsibly. For example, "The delinquent homeowner was unable to make payments on their mortgage and was eventually evicted from their property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New delinquencies are down sharply from 2008, yet more than $150 billion in home loans became delinquent in the fourth quarter of last year.

The Economist

Over coffee one day, when she was about 75, she recounted the sad, sorry tale of her upbringing and how it had affected her – how she became a delinquent in her adolescent years and how badly she had treated her mother.

The Guardian - Arts

This year, there's The Wolf of Wall Street: an accurate adaptation of delinquent stockbroker Jordan Belfort's memoir, but so unquestioning of it and of him (Belfort has a self-aggrandising cameo in the film, and stands to make a packet from it) that it undermines its own claim to be satire.

The Guardian - Film

A NSW Office for Women's Policy report in 2008 identified "age, low academic achievement, low income or exclusion from the labour market, social disadvantage and isolation and exposure to, or involvement in, aggressive or delinquent behaviour as an adolescent" as associated with domestic violence perpetrators.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only about 5% of loans are delinquent and only 3% of assets are classified as "level-3" (regulator-speak for opaque and hard to value).

The Economist

The ChimPom artists have received scant coverage in the stuffy arts pages of the national newspapers; mostly they are treated as part of a delinquent fringe.

The Economist

That would allow the loan to be classed as "current" rather than "delinquent".

The Economist

Too often China has held back in the face of past North Korean provocations, sometimes arguing that pressing the country too hard risks provoking even more delinquent behaviour.

The Economist

The birth moment of the tea parties came in February 2009 with the televised rant of Rick Santelli, a former Chicago trader, at news of a plan to help homeowners with delinquent mortgages.

The Economist

More recent ideas include managing distressed power stations and buying delinquent credit-card debts from banks.

The Economist

A hard line with delinquent debtors risks alienating customers temporarily lacking cash.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial obligations, use "delinquent" to specifically indicate a failure to pay on time. For instance, "delinquent taxes" clearly conveys unpaid taxes.

Common error

Avoid using "delinquent" when you mean "delicate". "Delinquent" refers to a failure to fulfill an obligation, while "delicate" describes something fragile or requiring careful handling.

Linguistic Context

The term "delinquent" functions primarily as an adjective or noun. As an adjective, it describes something that is overdue or neglectful. As a noun, it identifies someone who fails to follow rules or laws. Ludwig confirms that the term can be used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "delinquent" is commonly used to describe a failure to meet obligations, whether financial, legal, or behavioral. It functions as both an adjective and a noun, with its usage spanning various contexts from financial reports to discussions of juvenile behavior. Ludwig's AI indicates that "delinquent" is grammatically correct and widely applicable. The word appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Related terms include "overdue", "remiss", and "negligent", each carrying subtle nuances that make them suitable for different situations. Best practices include using "delinquent" to specifically denote a failure to pay or act responsibly, while avoiding confusion with words like "delicate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overdue

Focuses specifically on the lateness of a payment or action, often implying a deadline has passed.

defaulting

Specifically refers to the failure to meet financial obligations, often in the context of loans or debts.

remiss

Highlights a neglect of duty or responsibility, suggesting a lack of attention or care.

negligent

Emphasizes a failure to exercise the appropriate level of care, potentially leading to harm or damage.

derelict

Signifies a conscious neglect or abandonment of duty, often implying moral culpability.

non-compliant

Indicates a failure to adhere to rules, regulations, or standards.

unpaid

Specifically refers to an outstanding payment that has not been made.

truant

Specifically refers to someone who is absent without permission, usually from school or work.

lawless

Implies a disregard for laws and legal authority, suggesting a state of disorder or anarchy.

criminal

Indicates involvement in illegal activities, implying a violation of the law.

FAQs

How can I use "delinquent" in a sentence?

You can use "delinquent" to describe someone who is late in paying debts, such as "a "delinquent borrower"". It can also refer to neglect of duty or misbehavior, such as "delinquent behavior".

What's the difference between "delinquent" and "overdue"?

"Delinquent" implies a more serious failure to meet an obligation, often with potential consequences, whereas "overdue" simply means something is late. A bill might be overdue, but repeated failure to pay makes it delinquent.

What can I say instead of "delinquent"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overdue", "remiss", "negligent", or "defaulting". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "delinquent" only used for financial matters?

No, while "delinquent" is frequently used in financial contexts to describe late payments or "delinquent accounts", it can also describe a failure to fulfill other obligations or exhibiting problematic behavior, particularly in reference to juveniles.