noun

default

dih-FOLT

noun

A preset option or value used automatically when no other choice is made.

"The phone's default ringtone can be changed in settings."

"By default, new accounts are set to public."

Failure to fulfil an obligation, especially a financial or legal one.

"The company went into default on its loan payments."

verb

To fail to meet a financial or legal obligation.

"The borrower defaulted on the mortgage after losing his job."

"Several countries defaulted on their debts during the crisis."

How to Use Default

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the automatic/preset choice, or the act of failing to pay or fulfil an obligation.

Common pairings

default on a loan default setting by default

defaulted past tense, defaults plural, defaults singular

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The phone's _____ ringtone can be changed in settings.

From Old French defaute ("fault, lack"), ultimately from Latin de- ("away") plus fallere ("to deceive, fail").

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