Defaulter: meaning, definitions and examples

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defaulter

 

[ dɪˈfɔːltər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person

A defaulter is a person who fails to fulfill a duty or obligation, especially a financial one.

Synonyms

debtor, delinquent, nonpayer.

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Word Description / Examples
defaulter

Refers to someone who fails to repay a loan or meet an obligation, often used in financial or legal contexts.

  • The bank decided to take legal action against the defaulter.
  • She was named a defaulter and her credit score plummeted.
delinquent

Often used in financial or legal situations to describe someone who has not paid a debt or met an obligation on time. This term can carry a negative connotation.

  • The account became delinquent after missing three payments.
  • Delinquent borrowers are subject to higher interest rates.
debtor

Used to describe someone who owes money, typically in general or financial contexts, without necessarily implying severe consequences.

  • The debtor needed more time to repay the loan.
  • As a debtor, he had to make monthly payments to clear his debts.
nonpayer

A more straightforward, general term for someone who has not paid a due amount. It can carry a negative connotation but is less formal.

  • The utility company sent a final notice to the nonpayer.
  • The service will be terminated if the nonpayer fails to settle the bill.

Examples of usage

  • The defaulter failed to make the required payment on time.
  • He was labeled a defaulter after missing several loan payments.
Context #2 | Noun

military

In military terms, a defaulter is a person who fails to report for duty or goes absent without leave.

Synonyms

AWOL, absentee, deserter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defaulter

Repeated from earlier; this entry can be ignored or merged with the first 'defaulter' entry.

deserter

Describes someone who abandons their duty, post, or responsibilities, often used in a military context, and carries a strong negative connotation.

  • The deserter was court-martialed for leaving his unit during combat.
  • He was considered a deserter for abandoning his responsibilities during the peak season.
AWOL

An acronym for 'Absent Without Leave,' used primarily in military contexts, indicating that a person is absent from their post without permission. It sometimes appears in informal settings to describe unapproved absences.

  • The soldier was declared AWOL after not returning to the base on time.
  • He went AWOL from the office during the crucial project meeting.
absentee

Refers to a person who is not present at a usual or expected place, typically used in the context of work, school, or events.

  • The teacher marked the student as an absentee after he missed three consecutive classes.
  • Absentee workers often face disciplinary action by their employers.

Examples of usage

  • The soldier was classified as a defaulter for not showing up for his assigned shift.
  • The defaulter was disciplined for his unauthorized absence.

Translations

Translations of the word "defaulter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inadimplente

🇮🇳 देयकर्ता

🇩🇪 Zahlungssäumiger

🇮🇩 penunggak

🇺🇦 боржник

🇵🇱 dłużnik

🇯🇵 債務不履行者 (さいむふりこうしゃ)

🇫🇷 défaillant

🇪🇸 moroso

🇹🇷 temerrüt eden

🇰🇷 채무 불이행자

🇸🇦 متخلف عن السداد

🇨🇿 neplatič

🇸🇰 neplatič

🇨🇳 违约者 (wéiyuē zhě)

🇸🇮 neplačnik

🇮🇸 vanefndamaður

🇰🇿 қарызгер

🇬🇪 დეფოლტი

🇦🇿 ödəməyən şəxs

🇲🇽 moroso

Etymology

The term 'defaulter' originated in the late 16th century from the word 'default', which comes from the Old French word 'defaute', meaning failure or lack. Over time, the term evolved to refer to individuals who fail to meet their obligations, whether financial or military. The concept of defaulting on payments has been a common issue throughout history, leading to the development of systems to address and penalize defaulters.

See also: defaulted.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,885, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.