AbstractNew oscillation criteria for the second‐order Emden–Fowler delay differential equation with a sublinear neutral term are presented. An essential feature of our results is that oscillation of the studied equation is ensured via only one condition. Furthermore, as opposed to the results by Agarwal et al. (Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. (4) 193 (2014), no. 6, 1861–1875), Li and Rogovchenko (Math. Nachr. 288 (2015), no. 10, 1150–1162; Monatsh. Math. 184 (2017), no. 3, 489–500), and Xu (Monatsh. Math. 150 (2007), no. 2, 157–171), new criteria can be applied to Emden–Fowler delay differential equations with noncanonical operators and a sublinear neutral term. Our results essentially improve, extend, and simplify some known ones reported in the literature. The results are illustrated with examples.