Defaulted: meaning, definitions and examples

💸
Add to dictionary

defaulted

 

[dɪˈfɔːltɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

finance

Fail to fulfill an obligation, especially to repay a loan or to appear in a court of law.

Synonyms

fail to pay, neglect, not meet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
defaulted

This word is commonly used in financial or legal contexts when someone fails to fulfill an obligation, especially a loan or debt payment.

  • The company defaulted on its loan after the economic downturn
  • The borrower defaulted on his mortgage

Examples of usage

  • He defaulted on his loan payments.
  • The defendant defaulted and a warrant was issued for their arrest.
Context #2 | Verb

technology

To revert to a preselected option or state automatically, typically due to a lack of a specific input or action.

Synonyms

go back, return, revert.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
defaulted

Could also refer to when someone has not changed a preset value or setting, often in technical or digital contexts.

  • The software defaulted to the original settings after the system reboot.
  • The printer defaulted to black and white mode instead of color.
revert

Typically used in formal or technical contexts and implies going back to a previous state or condition. It can sometimes have a negative or neutral connotation, depending on the situation.

  • Please revert the document to its original state by undoing the recent changes.
  • If the treatment doesn't work, the symptoms might revert to their previous severity.
return

Often used in both formal and informal settings to describe coming back to a place or condition. It can also imply giving something back to its original owner.

  • He will return from his business trip next Monday.
  • I need to return these books to the library.
go back

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the action of returning to a previous location, state, or activity. It is casual and widely understood.

  • I need to go back to the office to pick up some documents.
  • Let's go back to the topic we were discussing earlier.

Examples of usage

  • The system will default to the previous settings if left idle for too long.
  • The device defaults to the home screen after a period of inactivity.
Context #3 | Noun

finance

A failure to fulfill an obligation, especially to repay a loan or to appear in a court of law.

Synonyms

delinquency, failure to pay, nonpayment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
defaulted

This term is commonly used in financial and legal settings when someone has failed to fulfill their financial obligations, such as repaying a loan or mortgage.

  • The borrower defaulted on the loan last month.
  • The mortgage was defaulted, leading to foreclosure.
failure to pay

A general term used in both formal and informal settings to indicate someone has not paid what they owe. It is often used in contracts or official documents.

  • The tenant was evicted due to a failure to pay rent.
  • Failure to pay taxes can result in penalties and interest.
nonpayment

Used in a variety of settings to indicate that a required payment has not been made. It can have legal implications and is often seen in official communications or documents.

  • The insurance was canceled due to nonpayment of premiums.
  • Nonpayment of child support can lead to legal action.
delinquency

Often used to describe late payments or overdue debts, particularly in the context of loans, credit cards, or taxes. It can also refer to minor legal offenses.

  • Delinquency rates on student loans have been rising.
  • His credit report shows several instances of delinquency.

Examples of usage

  • The bank declared the borrower in default.
  • The company faced financial difficulties due to multiple defaults.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Middle French 'defaut', meaning 'lack' or 'failure'.
  • It became popular in legal and financial language in the 19th century.
  • The word's roots can be traced back to the Latin 'defectus', which means 'a failing' or 'a deficiency'.

Finance

  • In finance, to default means failing to meet the legal obligations of a loan.
  • Countries can also default on their debts, affecting international markets.
  • The 2008 financial crisis saw many homeowners default on their mortgage payments, leading to widespread economic repercussions.

Psychology

  • A person might default on their commitments due to cognitive overload, where they struggle to manage too many tasks.
  • Fear of failure can sometimes lead individuals to avoid fulfilling obligations altogether.
  • Social influences, such as peer pressure, may affect a person's tendency to default on responsibilities.

Literature

  • Default can symbolize broken promises in literature, representing themes of trust and betrayal.
  • Characters often face moral dilemmas when they default on obligations, impacting their relationships.
  • The concept of 'defaulting' can appear in narratives showcasing personal struggles in meeting societal expectations.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, a character's defaulting on a loan is often depicted as a dramatic turning point in their life.
  • The phrase 'defaulting on promises' may be used in song lyrics to convey disappointment.
  • Many comic books feature characters who disregard their responsibilities, leading to their eventual default.

Translations

Translations of the word "defaulted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 padronizado

🇮🇳 डिफ़ॉल्ट किया गया

🇩🇪 standardisiert

🇮🇩 standar

🇺🇦 за замовчуванням

🇵🇱 domyślny

🇯🇵 デフォルト

🇫🇷 par défaut

🇪🇸 predeterminado

🇹🇷 varsayılan

🇰🇷 기본값

🇸🇦 افتراضي

🇨🇿 výchozí

🇸🇰 predvolený

🇨🇳 默认

🇸🇮 privzeto

🇮🇸 sjálfgefið

🇰🇿 әдепкі

🇬🇪 ნაგულისხმევი

🇦🇿 standart

🇲🇽 predeterminado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,070, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.