Meaning
criminal, thug
- a person who commits crimes or breaks the law; a delinquent
In a sentence
La polizia ha arrestato il pericoloso delinquente ieri notte.
The police arrested the dangerous criminal last night.
Non fidarti di quell'uomo, è un noto delinquente della zona.
Don't trust that man, he is a well-known crook in the area.
I delinquenti sono fuggiti prima dell'arrivo degli agenti?
Did the criminals flee before the officers arrived?
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| delinquente | singular |
| delinquenti | plural |
Usage notes
- Commonly masculine ('un delinquente'), but feminine ('una delinquente') when referring to a woman.
- Can also be used as a derogatory insult meaning scoundrel or crook.