B2noun 1K

Penalty

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈpenəlti/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈpenəlti/"]/

Meaning of Penalty

a punishment for breaking a law, rule or contract

In simple words: A punishment for breaking a rule.

Penalty in a sentence

• The player received a penalty for a foul during the match.
• The company had to pay a heavy penalty for violating environmental regulations.
• In the penalty shootout, she scored the winning goal.
• He accepted the penalty of losing his driving license after the accident.
• The penalty for late payment of the loan is quite high.
• During the game, the referee awarded a penalty to the opposing team.

How to use Penalty

Used in formal contexts like sports, law, and contracts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing a specific game or legal situation.

Grammar pattern

penalty + for + action

Memory hint

Think of a 'pen' being crossed out when someone makes a mistake.

Related words

Collocations with Penalty

• harsh
• heavy
• hefty
• impose
• introduce
• levy
• fee
• notice
• ticket
• on penalty of
• under penalty of
• penalty for
• pay
• suffer
• accept
• penalty for
• penalty of
• controversial
• disputed
• dodgy
• award (somebody)
• give (somebody)
• concede
• area
• box
• corner
• penalty by
• penalty from

Synonyms for Penalty

• punishment
• sanction
• consequence
• retribution

Opposites of Penalty

• reward
• benefit

Common mistakes with Penalty

• Confusing with 'fine' which is monetary punishment.
• Using 'penalty' in contexts unrelated to rules or laws.

Frequently asked questions about Penalty

What does Penalty mean?

A punishment for breaking a rule.

What is the definition of Penalty?

a punishment for breaking a law, rule or contract

How do you use Penalty in a sentence?

The player received a penalty for a foul during the match.

Can you give another example of Penalty?

The company had to pay a heavy penalty for violating environmental regulations.

What are synonyms for Penalty?

Common alternatives include punishment, sanction, consequence, retribution.

What is the opposite of Penalty?

Opposite meanings include reward, benefit.

What words go with Penalty?

It commonly pairs with harsh, heavy, hefty, impose, introduce, levy, fee, notice, ticket, on penalty of, under penalty of, penalty for, pay, suffer, accept, penalty for, penalty of, controversial, disputed, dodgy, award (somebody), give (somebody), concede, area, box, corner, penalty by, penalty from.

What are common mistakes when using Penalty?

Confusing with 'fine' which is monetary punishment. Using 'penalty' in contexts unrelated to rules or laws.

How do you pronounce Penalty?

US: /["/ˈpenəlti/"]/, UK: /["/ˈpenəlti/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Penalty?

Used in formal contexts like sports, law, and contracts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing a specific game or legal situation.

What CEFR level is Penalty?

"Penalty" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.