Word
delinquency
Phoneticsdelin·quen·cy
US/dɪˈɫɪŋkwənsi/
UK/dɪlˈɪnkwənsi/
Definition
n. the act of not paying a debt or a bill on time. It is also used to describe a person who breaks the law or does something wrong.
n. the failure to meet a legal or financial obligation, such as the non-payment of a debt or the commission of a crime. Often used in legal or financial contexts to describe a state of default or misconduct.
Examples
“The bank reported his credit card delinquency to the credit agency.”
“The judge considered the defendant's history of juvenile delinquency when deciding on the length of the sentence.”
“Persistent delinquency in mortgage payments can lead to foreclosure, while a pattern of financial delinquency may significantly lower an individual's credit score for several years.”
Examples
simple
“The bank reported his credit card delinquency to the credit agency.”
contextual
“The judge considered the defendant's history of juvenile delinquency when deciding on the length of the sentence.”
complex
“Persistent delinquency in mortgage payments can lead to foreclosure, while a pattern of financial delinquency may significantly lower an individual's credit score for several years.”
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Universal/Allstar In Don Siegel’s Crime in the Streets (1956), a drama about juvenile delinquency, Rydell acted alongside John Cassavetes and Sal Mineo.” “Rather than asking adolescents directly if they had committed a specific crime, the researchers used the "self-reported delinquency" method.” Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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