4 syllables: de, lin, quent, s. Stress on lin.
/dɪˈlɪŋ.kwənts/
Say it backDelinquents refers to individuals who commit minor crimes or offenses, typically within a group or habitual context. The term conveys a negative social label and implies lawbreaking behavior, often associated with youth or marginalized groups. It is used in legal, sociological, and media discourse to describe recurrent, unlawful conduct rather than isolated incidents.
"The community outreach program targeted delinquents before their behavior escalated."
"Delinquents were warned that repeated violations could lead to harsher penalties."
"The school implemented counseling services to address the concerns of local delinquents."
Pronounce as /dɪˈlɪŋ.kwənts/ in US and UK variants, with primary stress on the second syllable: de-LIN-quents. Start with a short, lax “dih” /dɪ/, then /ˈlɪŋ/ like in “linguist,” followed by /kwənts/ where the /kw/ blends with a schwa + nt cluster. In connected speech, the final s is voiced as /z/ or sometimes unreleased, depending on context. Listen to native pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish for exact vowel quality.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (de-LIN-kwents instead of de-liN-QUENTS), mispronouncing the /kw/ cluster as separate /k w/ with inappropriate lip rounding, and dropping the final schwa leading to /dɪˈlɪŋ.kwnts/ or /dɪˈlɪŋ.kwɒnts/. To correct: keep the /kw/ tight as a single velar+labial blend, and ensure the final /ə/ before nt is crisp rather than silent; practice with minimal pairs focusing on syllable three emphasis.
In US English, the /ɪ/ in the first syllable is clipped, with strong /ˈlɪŋ/; the /kw/ cluster is tightly formed, and final /z/ sound may be devoiced in careful speech. UK English maintains similar vowels but with slightly more non-rhoticity in careful speech; AU tends to be a mix, with a mid-central vowel in the second syllable and more fronted lip posture. Listen to regional variants to hear subtle rhotic and vowel length differences.
The difficulty lies in the /dɪˈlɪŋ.kwənts/ structure: the /ŋ/ nasal blends with a /kw/ sequence, the secondary stress pattern can be tricky, and the final nasal + /t/+ /s/ cluster demands precise timing. Learners often misplace stress or slur the /kw/ into /k/ or /w/; focus on producing a tight /kw/ blend, keeping the schwa before nt as a light, quick vowel, and maintain clear final /nts/ without extra vowel.
A unique aspect is the /dɪ/ onset with a quick, light first syllable; the /ˈlɪŋ/ contains a velar nasal followed by a dental-alveolar blend, requiring precise tongue placement to avoid turning it into /lɪŋk/ or /lɪŋɡwə/. The 'qu' in 'quents' demands a strong bilabial- velar tie with a subtle schwa.
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The word delinquents comes from the Middle French delinquant, from late Latin delinens, delinēns, present participle of delinēre, meaning to fail or sin, from the Latin de- (apart, away) + legere (to pick, choose) or from delinquere (to fail, violate). English adopted the term in the 18th century with legal and moral overtones, initially describing those who fail to fulfill duties or obligations. The sense evolved to label people—often youths or repeat offenders—who commit minor crimes, implying a habitual pattern rather than a single act. Over time, “delinquent” shifted from a formal legal descriptor to a more colloquial, sometimes stigmatizing label used in media and social discourse. First known uses appeared in legal and religious contexts, expanding in the 19th and 20th centuries as sociological and criminal justice terminology grew; the plural form “delinquents” entered common usage to describe groups or categories of such offenders. The term therefore resides at the intersection of morality, law, and social judgment, carrying connotations of youthful risk and nonconformity.
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Words that rhyme with "delinquents"
-ent sounds
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