juvenile delinquent
C1Formal, Legal, Academic, Sociological
Definition
Meaning
A young person, typically under 18, who commits a crime or engages in antisocial behavior.
A term from legal and sociological contexts for a minor who habitually breaks the law or fails to abide by societal norms, often implying a systemic or developmental cause for the behavior. It can also refer to the phenomenon or social category itself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While literally denoting a law-breaking minor, the term often carries connotations of social and familial dysfunction, systemic failure, and the need for rehabilitation rather than pure punishment. It is a fixed compound noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in both varieties. The legal age of a 'juvenile' may vary by jurisdiction within both countries. The informal abbreviation 'JD' is understood but rare.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both, though in UK discourse it may be slightly more associated with post-WWII social commentary. In the US, it is a standard legal/sociological term.
Frequency
Equally frequent in formal contexts in both varieties. In everyday speech, terms like 'young offender' (UK) or 'troubled youth' (both) might be used more loosely.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject/be] a juvenile delinquenttreat [Object] as a juvenile delinquentlabel [Object] a juvenile delinquentreform [Object], a juvenile delinquentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From juvenile delinquent to model citizen (narrative phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Common in sociology, criminology, and legal studies papers discussing youth crime causation and intervention.
Everyday
Used in news reports, documentaries, or serious discussions about youth crime. Can sound formal or dated in casual conversation.
Technical
A precise term in legal systems and social work for classifying a minor who has been adjudicated for criminal acts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The system aims to rehabilitate rather than just punish those who juvenile-delinquent? (NOT a verb)
American English
- There is no standard verb form for 'juvenile delinquent'.
adverb
British English
- He acted juvenile-delinquently? (Extremely rare/non-standard)
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- He exhibited juvenile-delinquent behaviour. (Hyphenated attributive use)
- The study focused on juvenile-delinquent subcultures.
American English
- The juvenile-delinquent act was passed in 1974.
- She works in juvenile-delinquent rehabilitation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The film is about a juvenile delinquent.
- A juvenile delinquent broke the window.
- The social worker tried to help the juvenile delinquent.
- He was labeled a juvenile delinquent after several arrests.
- Effective programmes aim to reintegrate the juvenile delinquent into society rather than simply incarcerating them.
- The report analysed the socioeconomic factors that contribute to juvenile delinquent behaviour.
- The term 'juvenile delinquent' pathologises youth crime, framing it as an individual failing rather than a systemic one.
- The 1950s moral panic saw any teenager in a leather jacket stereotyped as a potential juvenile delinquent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'juvenile' (young) person who is 'delinquent' in their duty to follow the law.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PARENT; the juvenile delinquent is a rebellious child of the state.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque or confusion with 'несовершеннолетний преступник' (underage criminal), which lacks the sociological nuance. 'Малолетний правонарушитель' is closer but still formal. The term implies a pattern, not a single act.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very juvenile delinquent' is wrong). Confusing it with 'delinquent juvenile,' which is grammatically possible but less idiomatic. Plural: 'juvenile delinquents.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'juvenile delinquent' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'juvenile delinquent' is specifically a minor (usually under 18) who commits crimes. 'Criminal' is a broader term for any person who commits a crime, regardless of age. The juvenile justice system typically focuses more on rehabilitation for delinquents.
It is a formal, technical term but can be perceived as stigmatising or dated in some non-professional contexts. In sensitive discourse, terms like 'young person in conflict with the law' or 'youth offender' may be preferred.
Technically, yes, if they are a minor convicted of a crime. However, the term often implies a pattern of behaviour or a formal classification within the legal system, not just a single isolated act.
No, there is no standard verb. Related actions are described with phrases like 'commit crimes as a juvenile', 'engage in delinquency', or 'be adjudicated a delinquent'.
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