default
default — noun
1. a preset value or selection that a machine, computer, or system uses when a pers
a preset value or selection that a machine, computer, or system uses when a person does not choose a different one; the thing that happens automatically if no other action is taken.
Sirin changed the printer's default from colour to black-and-white to save ink.
possessive noun + default as countable noun
The default on this phone is to lock the screen after thirty seconds of inactivity.
When Yasmin opened a new online account, the system set a default privacy level that she could adjust later.
Hari restored the factory defaults on his tablet to fix the error.
- custom setting
a setting chosen by the user rather than the pre-programmed one
文法句型
the default + noun
by default
用法筆記
Very common in computing contexts. When used in the plural (defaults), it often refers to the original factory settings of a device.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which a person, company, or country fails to meet a legal or fina
a situation in which a person, company, or country fails to meet a legal or financial duty, especially not repaying borrowed money when it is due.
The company was in default on its loan payments for over six months.
in default on + noun phrase
Christopher faced a lawsuit after the mortgage default on his apartment.
Samir read that the bank reported a rise in defaults on restaurant loans after the new safety rules took effect.
Aylin sold her car to avoid a default and keep up with the loan.
- non-payment
more specific — focuses only on the failure to pay, not other legal duties
- delinquency
formal term, especially US finance, for being late on payments
- repayment
the act of paying back borrowed money
- fulfillment
meeting the terms of a contract or agreement
文法句型
in default
default on + noun (debt/loan/mortgage)
be in default
用法筆記
Commonly appears in financial and legal contexts. The most frequent pattern is default on a loan/mortgage/debt, or the phrase in default. A person or institution that defaults is called a defaulter.
常見錯誤
3. the original or built-in condition of a device or system as it comes from the fa
the original or built-in condition of a device or system as it comes from the factory or when first installed, which stays unchanged unless a person chooses to modify it.
The default position of the control lever is upright, which stops the motor.
default position + explanation via relative clause
Eri prefers to read with the default font size rather than changing the display.
Jisoo's video-editing app sets sixty frames per second as the default frame rate for new projects.
The map app shows the default route, but you can pick a faster road instead.
文法句型
default + noun (setting/position/mode/option)
用法筆記
Always placed before the noun it modifies (default setting, default mode, default behaviour). This attributive use is very productive — you can combine default with almost any noun that describes a configurable state.
4. a result in which a competitor wins or loses because the opponent did not take p
a result in which a competitor wins or loses because the opponent did not take part in the match, did not finish it, or was removed for breaking the rules.
Chidi won the chess tournament by default when his final opponent did not arrive.
by default as adverbial phrase
The tennis match ended by default after a player twisted her ankle.
Sofie's team lost the final by default because three members missed their flight.
The runner won the gold medal by default after the leader was disqualified.
- contest
a match that is actually played
- decided on points
determined by actual competition rather than absence
文法句型
by default
win/lose by default
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase by default. You can win or lose by default. Outside sports, by default also has a general meaning: 'because nothing else was chosen or happened' (e.g., He became the leader by default when everyone else quit.)
常見錯誤
default — verb
1. to not do something that a contract or the law requires you to do, particularly
to not do something that a contract or the law requires you to do, particularly to fail to repay money that you have borrowed from a bank, lender, or other institution.
Reuben defaulted on his student loan after he lost his job at the factory.
defaulted on + loan
If a borrower defaults, the bank can take possession of the house.
conditional clause + default as intransitive verb
The couple had never defaulted on a payment until the medical emergency came.
Gabriel tried to sell his car rather than default on the loan agreement.
- fail to pay
more general; can apply to any bill, not just legal obligations
- be delinquent on
formal US term for being late on a payment
文法句型
default on + noun (debt/loan/mortgage/payment)
default + on + noun
用法筆記
The most common structure is default on + a financial obligation (loan, mortgage, debt, payment). Without on, the verb is used intransitively: If the borrower defaults, the lender can take action.
常見錯誤
2. in a sport or contest, to give the victory to the other side by choosing not to
in a sport or contest, to give the victory to the other side by choosing not to take part or by being unable to finish the match.
Olivia had to default from the semi-finals because of a knee injury.
default from + competition
The defending champion defaulted in the first round without giving a reason.
Tyler had to default from the regional swimming finals when he came down with a fever the night before.
Manuela decided to default from the race rather than run with a fever.
- withdraw
can be voluntary; default often implies a penalty or disappointment
- pull out of
informal phrasal verb, more common in everyday speech
文法句型
default (from/in) + competition
default + noun (match/game) — rare
用法筆記
This verb is much less common than the noun sense in sports contexts. Most speakers say 'win/lose by default' (noun) rather than 'default' (verb). In journalism, default from a tournament is the standard pattern.