Delinquent: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used to describe someone, especially a young person, who regularly engages in minor criminal activities or fails to fulfill social responsibilities. Has a relatively informal tone and can carry a negative connotation.

• The teacher had a hard time dealing with the delinquent student.
• The neighborhood suffered from a number of delinquent activities.

Used in both legal and everyday contexts to describe someone who fails to take the necessary care or fulfill their duties, often leading to harm or risk. It generally carries a strong negative connotation.

• The doctor was found negligent in his care of the patient.
• She was fired for being negligent in her duties.

Typically used in a formal or legal context to denote someone who is deserving of blame for a particular wrongdoing. It carries a strong negative connotation and implies responsibility for a fault or crime.

• The manager was found culpable for the financial losses.
• He was deemed culpable for the accident.

Describes someone who does not take responsibility or care for their actions or duties. It has a negative connotation and is used in both formal and informal settings.

• Leaving the door unlocked was an irresponsible thing to do.
• Her irresponsible behavior caused a lot of problems at work.

Used primarily to describe young people who engage in minor illegal activities or behaviors that deviate from societal norms.

• The school has programs to help delinquent teenagers get back on the right track.
• He was labeled a delinquent after vandalizing the local park.

Generally used in legal contexts to describe someone who has broken a law, regardless of the severity of the crime. It can also be used in a rehabilitative context.

• First-time offenders may receive lighter sentences.
• The program aims to rehabilitate offenders and help them reintegrate into society.

Refers to someone who has committed a serious crime. This term can be used in both formal and informal contexts and often has a negative connotation.

• The police caught the criminal after a lengthy investigation.
• She was afraid to walk alone at night after hearing about the criminal activity in the area.

Used informally to describe someone who frequently causes minor problems or disturbances. It can be applied to both children and adults.

• The teacher had to separate the troublemaker from the rest of the class.
• He was known as a troublemaker at work, constantly stirring up conflict.