Default
/dɪˈfɔːlt/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe omission of or failure to perform a duty, to pay a debt, or to appear in court.
/dɪˈfɔːlt/
The failure to fulfill an obligation, especially a financial one.
The company filed for bankruptcy after defaulting on its bond payments.
💡 Simply: Imagine you borrow money and promise to pay it back, but you don't. That's a default! It means you failed to do what you promised.
👶 For kids: When you don't do what you're supposed to, like paying back money you borrowed, that's called a default.
More Examples
Many homeowners are facing default due to rising interest rates.
How It's Used
"The company declared default on its loan."
"A default judgment was issued because the defendant failed to appear in court."
A setting, value, or action that is automatically used if the user does not specify another.
/dɪˈfɔːlt/
A preselected option adopted if no other is specified.
The application uses a black background by default.
💡 Simply: Imagine your computer has a pre-set option for something, like what color your screen background will be. That's the 'default' – it's what the computer uses unless you tell it something different.
👶 For kids: The thing that always happens if you don't pick something else. Like, the color of your toy car before you choose a different color.
More Examples
If no other options are chosen, the default action will be to save the file.
The default search engine in the browser is Google.
How It's Used
"The default setting for the font size is 12 points."
"By default, the program opens in a new window."
To fail to perform an obligation, especially to pay money that is owed.
/dɪˈfɔːlt/
To fail to fulfill an obligation.
The borrower defaulted on their mortgage.
💡 Simply: To default is like promising to pay your friend back $10, and then not doing it. You've failed to keep your promise!
👶 For kids: When you don't do something you said you would, like paying back money.
More Examples
If you default on your loan, the lender can seize your property.
How It's Used
"The company defaulted on its loan payments."
"The defendant defaulted by not appearing in court."
Idioms & expressions
by default
automatically; if nothing else is specified or chosen.
"The system will save the file by default."
From Middle English *defaute* (failure, defect), from Old French *défaut* (lack, fault), from Latin *dēfallere* (to fail, be lacking).
Historically, 'default' was used primarily in legal and financial contexts, denoting failure to fulfill obligations. With the advent of computers, its usage expanded to include default settings in software and hardware.
Memory tip
Think of 'fault' – a default is a financial or legal 'fault'.