Definition

Noun: 1. A person who fails to fulfill a financial obligation: This is the most common meaning. A defaulter is someone who does not repay a loan, debt, or other financial commitment as agreed. 2. A person who fails to appear in court: In a legal context, a defaulter is someone who is required to attend a court proceeding but does not appear. 3. A contestant who forfeits a match: In sports or competitions, a defaulter is a participant who withdraws or fails to compete, resulting in a forfeit.

Examples of Usage

• Financial Obligation:
  • The bank sent a notice to the defaulter for missing three consecutive loan payments.
  • After being declared a defaulter, his credit score dropped significantly.
• Legal Context:
  • The judge issued a warrant for the arrest of the defaulter who failed to appear in court.
  • The case was dismissed because the plaintiff was a defaulter.
• Sports/Competition:
  • The tennis player was listed as a defaulter after withdrawing from the tournament due to injury.
  • Their team advanced to the next round because the opposing team was a defaulter.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a formal or official connotation, used by institutions like banks, courts, and sports governing bodies.
• It can imply a degree of fault or negligence, not just an inability to pay. For example, a "willful defaulter" is someone who can pay but chooses not to.

Variants and Related Words

• Default (noun/verb): The act or instance of failing to fulfill an obligation.
  • Noun: The company is in default on its bonds.
  • Verb: He defaulted on his student loans.
• Default (adjective): Referring to a pre-selected option that applies if no other is chosen.
  • The default setting for the application is "private."

Synonyms

• Financial: Debtor, nonpayer, deadbeat (informal).
• Legal: Absentee, no-show.
• General: Offender, delinquent.

Related Phrases

• To be in default: The state of having failed to meet an obligation.
  • The loan is now in default.
• Judgment by default: A legal judgment made in favor of one party because the other party has failed to take a required action (e.g., appear in court).
  • The plaintiff won a judgment by default.

Noun

1. a contestant who forfeits a match
2. someone who fails to meet a financial obligation
3. someone who fails to make a required appearance in court