default
noun /dɪˈfɔːlt/, /ˈdiːfɔːlt/
/dɪˈfɔːlt/, /ˈdiːfɔːlt/
Idioms - [uncountable, countable, usually singular] what happens or appears if you do not make any other choice or change, especially in a computer program
- The default is fifty lines.
- The default option is to save your work every five minutes.
- What is your default browser?
- All my life, envy has been my default emotion.
- [uncountable, countable] failure to do something that must be done by law, especially paying a debt
- in default (on something) The company is in default on the loan.
- Mortgage defaults have risen in the last year.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French defaut, from defaillir ‘to fail’, based on Latin fallere ‘disappoint, deceive’.
Idioms
by default
- a game or competition can be won by default if there are no other people, teams, etc. taking part
- He became world champion in 2007 by default.
- if something happens by default, it happens because you have not made any other decision or choices that would make things happen in a different way
- I became a teacher by default rather than by design.
in default of something
- (formal) because of a lack of something
- They accepted what he had said in default of any evidence to disprove it.