How Do You Spell DEFAULT?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈɒlt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "default" might seem confusing, but it's actually quite simple when you break it down phonetically. The first syllable is pronounced /dɪˈfɔːlt/ with a short "i" sound, followed by "fawlt" with a long "o" sound. The "au" in "fawlt" represents the sound of an "o" followed by a "u", which is why it can be spelled as "ault" in some versions of English. Essentially, the spelling of "default" is a result of the combination of French and Latin roots that make up the word.

DEFAULT Meaning and Definition

1. Default is a term used in various contexts to denote a failure to fulfill an obligation or adhere to a predetermined standard. It can refer to a situation in which someone fails to make a required payment or fails to perform a specific duty.

   In financial terms, default commonly refers to a situation where a debtor fails to make scheduled payments on a loan or debt. This can lead to serious consequences, such as foreclosure on a property or legal action. It signifies a breach of the agreed-upon contract and can result in penalties, loss of assets, and damage to the debtor's credit rating.

   Default can also be used in the context of computer technology, where it refers to the preset values or settings that a system or program utilizes unless explicitly altered by the user. These default settings are often predetermined by the developer and are intended to provide a standard or recommended configuration.

   Moreover, default encompasses the concept of an "opt-out" situation, frequently associated with software or online services. In this context, "opt-out" means that if a user fails to modify the settings, they automatically accept the predetermined defaults.

   Overall, default conveys the notion of not meeting expected obligations, whether they are financial, contractual, or related to preset values. It highlights a failure to act or fulfill one's responsibilities as agreed upon or expected within a given system or context.

2. Neglect to do what duty or law requires; a failure; an omission.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFAULT *

• defualt 38.0681818%
• defult 14.2045454%
• defalt 11.3636363%
• deafult 9.9431818%
• deafault 3.6931818%
• defaul 1.9886363%
• defulat 1.9886363%
• dafault 1.7045454%
• defolt 1.4204545%
• defecult 0.5681818%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFAULT

• redefault
• defelt
• difacult
• defacit
• deffcult
• defaulf
• defaultly
• detailt
• adefault
• defults
• deafaults
• deadlt
• fefault
• deficult
• defaet
• defanet
• defauly
• defaulte
• defalte
• myfault
• efault
• defeclt
• thefault
• defailt
• defauklt
• deefault
• defuult
• Dewfaul
• Defaung
• Defagete

Etymology of DEFAULT

The word "default" originated from the Old French word "defaute", which was derived from the Latin word "defectus". In Latin, "defectus" is the past participle of "deficere", which means "to fail" or "to desert". As time passed, the meaning of "defaute" evolved to refer to the failure to fulfill an obligation or to perform a task. Eventually, this term was adopted into English as "default", which signifies the failure to meet a financial obligation or the non-performance of a duty.

Idioms with the word DEFAULT

• default on sth The idiom "default on sth" means to fail to meet a financial obligation or contractual agreement. It refers to a situation where someone is unable or unwilling to fulfill their responsibility of paying back a loan, debt, or meeting the terms of an agreement or contract, such as a mortgage, loan repayment, or regular payments.
• in default of The idiom "in default of" means that something is done or used as a substitute or alternative because the intended or preferred option is unavailable or lacking. It implies that the action or decision is taken due to a lack of better alternatives or options.
• by default The idiom "by default" means that something happens or someone is chosen or accepted automatically or without an alternative option. It occurs when there is no active decision taken or when the desired outcome or expected result does not materialize or is not available.
• in default of something The idiom "in default of something" refers to when something is done or chosen as a substitute or alternative option when the preferred or intended choice is not available, possible, or applicable. It indicates that a particular action or decision is chosen because there is no other suitable option or when one is lacking a desired choice.
• default on (something) The idiom "default on (something)" refers to the failure to fulfill a legal or financial obligation, such as failing to make a payment on a loan or debt, not delivering goods or services as agreed, or breaking a promise or contract. It implies the failure to meet a required commitment or obligation.

Similar spelling words for DEFAULT

• debolt,
• devaluate,
• defaulter,
• devalued,
• default on,
• devault,
• dufault,
• Dealt,
• deviltry,
• fault.

Plural form of DEFAULT is DEFAULTS

Conjugate verb Default

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have defaulted

you would have defaulted

he/she/it would have defaulted

we would have defaulted

they would have defaulted

I would have default

you would have default

he/she/it would have default

we would have default

they would have default

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been defaulting

you would have been defaulting

he/she/it would have been defaulting

we would have been defaulting

they would have been defaulting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would default

you would default

he/she/it would default

we would default

they would default

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be defaulting

you would be defaulting

he/she/it would be defaulting

we would be defaulting

they would be defaulting

FUTURE

I will default

you will default

he/she/it will default

we will default

they will default

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be defaulting

you will be defaulting

he/she/it will be defaulting

we will be defaulting

they will be defaulting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have defaulted

you will have defaulted

he/she/it will have defaulted

we will have defaulted

they will have defaulted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been defaulting

you will have been defaulting

he/she/it will have been defaulting

we will have been defaulting

they will have been defaulting

IMPERATIVE

you default

we let´s default

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to default

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was defaulting

you were defaulting

he/she/it was defaulting

we were defaulting

they were defaulting

PAST PARTICIPLE

defaulted

PAST PERFECT

I had defaulted

you had defaulted

he/she/it had defaulted

we had defaulted

they had defaulted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been defaulting

you had been defaulting

he/she/it had been defaulting

we had been defaulting

they had been defaulting

PRESENT

I default

you default

he/she/it defaults

we default

they default

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am defaulting

you are defaulting

he/she/it is defaulting

we are defaulting

they are defaulting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

defaulting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have defaulted

you have defaulted

he/she/it has defaulted

we have defaulted

they have defaulted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been defaulting

you have been defaulting

he/she/it has been defaulting

we have been defaulting

they have been defaulting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it default

SIMPLE PAST

I defaulted

you defaulted

he/she/it defaulted

we defaulted

they defaulted