French word

délinquant

Pronunciation

IPA/delɛ̃kɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncriminal

Example

Le délinquant a été arrêté hier.

The criminal was arrested yesterday.

Illustration for délinquant (criminal)

More examples

Un jeune délinquant a été orienté vers une formation professionnelle.

A young delinquent was referred to vocational training.

Core concept

A person marked by an offense against a rule or law, whether minor or serious.

Common phrases

  • jeune délinquant

    young delinquent

  • délinquant récidiviste

    recidivist delinquent

  • délinquant mineur

    juvenile delinquent

Similar words

criminel: A person who has committed a serious criminal act.
voleur: A person who steals from others.
escroc: A fraudster who deceives people to obtain money or property.
malfaiteur: A wrongdoer involved in violence, theft, or other crimes.

Definition in French

Personne qui commet un délit ou une infraction, souvent utilisée pour désigner l'auteur d'actes illégaux de gravité variable.

Word origin

Délinquant derives from Latin delinquens, from delinquere meaning to fail or do wrong, which French uses as a noun for an offender.

Usage tips

  • English delinquent can describe an overdue payment, but French délinquant refers to a person who commits an offense, not to an unpaid bill.

Other meanings

  • delinquentnoun
  • offendernoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word