is delinquent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is delinquent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is overdue or failing to fulfill an obligation, such as a payment or duty. Example: "The account is delinquent, and we need to address the outstanding balance immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

More than 11% of it - that's roughly $110 billion - is delinquent or in default, and the delinquency rate is higher than all other types of debt.

Huffington Post

About one in 12 mortgages below the million-dollar mark is delinquent.

The New York Times

But what if the mortgage is delinquent — overlooked in a final illness?

The New York Times

Mr. Minor is delinquent by nearly $300,000 on the property's taxes.

The New York Times

One is delinquent behavior, the types of things that would get adults arrested — drugs, vandalism, assault.

The New York Times - Sports

Of this, nearly 14percentt is delinquent, meaning late in payment or in foreclosure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

After eight months, 58percentt were delinquent again.

The New York Times

Of those, roughly 450,000 are delinquent.

The New York Times

More than 10 percent of those loans are delinquent.

The New Yorker

Two years ago, barely 1 percent of such loans were delinquent.

The New York Times

Most customers must be delinquent for 90 days or longer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a broader failure of duty, consider alternatives like "is remiss" or "is neglectful" to convey the specific nature of the dereliction.

Common error

Avoid using "is delinquent" interchangeably with terms like "is late". "Is delinquent" often implies a more serious or prolonged failure to meet obligations, potentially leading to legal or financial repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is delinquent" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun (e.g., payment, account, loan) as being overdue or not meeting required obligations. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase often indicates a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility, particularly in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

32%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is delinquent" is commonly used to describe a state of being overdue or failing to meet an obligation, particularly in financial contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing needs. While alternatives like "is overdue" or "is in arrears" exist, "is delinquent" often carries a stronger implication of seriousness. It is prevalent in news and academic sources, and while not overly formal, maintains a professional tone, which is important to consider for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is overdue

Focuses specifically on the lateness of a payment or obligation.

is in arrears

Implies a more formal or financial context, suggesting a debt is outstanding.

is behind on payments

Directly states the failure to keep up with a payment schedule.

is in default

Indicates a more serious breach of obligation, often with legal consequences.

is remiss

Highlights a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

has defaulted

Similar to 'is in default' but emphasizes the action of defaulting.

is late in paying

A simpler and more direct way to express the delay in payment.

is neglecting their duties

Focuses on the neglect of responsibilities rather than financial obligations.

is derelict in their responsibilities

Emphasizes a culpable neglect of duty.

is non-compliant

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

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is delinquent"?

When something "is delinquent", it means that it's overdue, typically referring to payments, obligations, or duties that have not been fulfilled by the due date.

What can I say instead of "is delinquent"?

You can use alternatives like "is overdue", "is in arrears", or "is behind on payments" depending on the context.

Is "is delinquent" formal or informal?

"Is delinquent" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, often used in legal, financial, and professional contexts. It's suitable for serious discussions about unmet obligations.

What's the difference between "is delinquent" and "is late"?

While both indicate something is not on time, "is delinquent" suggests a more prolonged or serious failure to meet obligations than "is late". Delinquency often implies potential consequences.