How Do You Spell DELINQUENT?

Pronunciation: [dɪlˈɪnkwənt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "delinquent" can be tricky, as it has several unique sounds. The first syllable is pronounced "DEL" with a long "e" sound, followed by the "IN" sound as in "pin". The third syllable is "KWENT" with a "kw" sound and a short "e" like in "pet". This word is often used to describe a person who has committed a crime or is regularly behaving in a negative or unacceptable way. So, be sure to spell it correctly when writing about delinquent behavior!

DELINQUENT Meaning and Definition

  1. Delinquent is an adjective that refers to a person or entity who fails to fulfill their legal or financial obligations or who engages in wrongful or deviant behavior. It describes someone who has disregarded or violated the rules, laws, or social norms that govern their conduct or responsibilities.

    In legal contexts, delinquent is often used to refer to juveniles who have committed crimes or engaged in wrongdoing, but can also apply to adults who have not adhered to their legal obligations. For example, it may describe someone who has not paid their taxes, neglected child support payments, or violated a court order.

    In a broader sense, delinquent can describe behavior that deviates from accepted standards. It may refer to individuals who display unruly, antisocial, or rebellious behavior within their community or social circles. This can include acts such as vandalism, truancy, substance abuse, or involvement in gangs.

    The term delinquent can also be used to describe non-human entities, such as delinquent accounts or delinquent loans. In this context, it signifies a failure to make timely payments or fulfill financial obligations.

    Overall, delinquent identifies individuals or entities that have failed to comply with legal, moral, or financial commitments, and have engaged in behaviors that stray from accepted norms or standards.

  2. One who has a tendency to the commission of criminal acts.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Failing in duty.
    • One who fails in performing his duty, particularly public duty; an offender; one who commits a fault or crime.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DELINQUENT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DELINQUENT

Etymology of DELINQUENT

The word "delinquent" originated from the Latin word "delinquere", which is a combination of "de" meaning "away" and "linquere" meaning "to leave". In Latin, "delinquere" was used to describe someone who had failed or neglected their duty. Over time, the word evolved in English to refer specifically to a person, typically a young offender, who is guilty of a crime or misconduct.

Similar spelling words for DELINQUENT

Plural form of DELINQUENT is DELINQUENTS

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: