# delinquency

/dɪˈɫɪŋkwənsi/ (US) · /dɪlˈɪnkwənsi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/delinquency
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.