Defaulting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defaulting

[dษชหˆfษ”หltษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

financial context

Defaulting refers to the failure to meet the legal obligations or conditions of a loan, such as making timely payments. It can lead to severe consequences, including foreclosure or bankruptcy, depending on the terms of the contract. Defaulting can affect an individual's credit score significantly.

Synonyms

default, failing, nonpayment.

Examples of usage

  • The company faced bankruptcy after defaulting on its loans.
  • She worried about defaulting on her student loans.
  • The country risked economic instability by defaulting on its debt.
  • After defaulting, his credit score dropped dramatically.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Finance

  • Defaulting on a loan can lead to severe consequences, such as foreclosure or bankruptcy, significantly affecting a person's credit score.
  • In the economic realm, a country can default on its national debt, leading to financial crises and affecting global markets.
  • The 2008 financial crisis highlighted the risks of widespread defaulting, particularly among subprime mortgage borrowers.

Psychology

  • Many people default on commitments due to fear of failure or feeling overwhelmed by their obligations.
  • Understanding why individuals might default can help in creating systems that support accountability and commitment.
  • Cognitive dissonance plays a role; when people borrow money, they justify their decisions despite later hesitating to pay it back.

Legal

  • Defaulting can result in legal actions, including lawsuits and garnishment of wages to recover owed amounts.
  • Consumer protection laws aim to safeguard borrowers from predatory lending practices that can lead to defaulting.
  • In many jurisdictions, a debtor has the right to negotiate terms or seek counseling to avoid defaulting.

Cultural Implications

  • In different cultures, defaulting is viewed through various lenses; in some societies, it carries a stigma, while in others, it may be seen as a mere business risk.
  • Cultural narratives often shape individualsโ€™ perceptions of debt and defaulting, influencing their willingness to borrow money.
  • The rise of crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platforms has changed perspectives around borrowing and defaulting in recent years.

Origin of 'defaulting'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from 'default,' which has roots in the Old French term 'defaut', meaning 'lack' or 'failure'.
  • It was originally used in legal contexts in the 14th century to describe not fulfilling obligations.
  • The transition of 'default' into financial language reflects societal changes during the rise of banking practices in the 17th century.

The term 'defaulting' originates from the late Middle English word 'defaulte,' which itself derives from the Old French word 'defaulte,' meaning 'failure or lack.' The roots trace back to the Latin 'defectus,' meaning 'a failing or deficiency.' The legal implications of defaulting emerged as the concept of credit evolved over centuries, especially with the rise of banking systems in the modern era. Today, defaulting is primarily associated with financial contexts, particularly in relation to loans and credit agreements. In recent times, with the increase of consumer lending and credit card usage, the term has gained broader recognition, and its repercussions have become a significant concern for both lenders and borrowers in personal and corporate finance.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,008, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.