foreclose
Foreclose (verb) means to take legal action to repossess property when a borrower has failed to keep up mortgage payments. Example: “The bank foreclosed on the house after months of missed payments.”
How to use foreclose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take back a property over unpaid debt, or more generally, to rule something out.
Word forms
foreclosed past tense, forecloses singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bank _____ on the house after months of missed payments.
Etymology
From Old French forclore ("to exclude"), from for- ("outside") + clore ("to close").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for foreclose
See all rhymes for foreclose →Frequently asked questions
What does “foreclose” mean?
The word “foreclose” means to take legal action to repossess property when a borrower has failed to keep up mortgage payments. In plain terms, to take back a property over unpaid debt, or more generally, to rule something out.
How do you pronounce “foreclose”?
“Foreclose” is pronounced faw-KLOHZ (/fɔɹˈkloʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “foreclose” in a sentence?
Here is “foreclose” used in a sentence: “The bank foreclosed on the house after months of missed payments.”
What part of speech is “foreclose”?
“Foreclose” is a verb.
Where does the word “foreclose” come from?
The word “foreclose” comes from Old French. From Old French forclore ("to exclude"), from for- ("outside") + clore ("to close").
How many meanings does “foreclose” have?
“Foreclose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take legal action to repossess property when a borrower has failed to keep up mortgage payments.