C1noun1K

Default

UK /["/dɪˈfɔːlt//ˈdiːfɔːlt/"]/US /["/dɪˈfɔːlt//ˈdiːfɔːlt/"]/

Definition

what happens or appears if you do not make any other choice or change, especially in a computer program

In simple words: The usual setting or option that is used when no other choice is made.

Examples

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.
The company is in default on the loan.
Mortgage defaults have risen in the last year.
He became world champion in 2007 by default.
I became a teacher by default rather than by design.
They accepted what he had said **in default of** any evidence to disprove it.

Usage notes

Used in technology, finance, and everyday contexts. It's appropriate in neutral discussions, but avoid using in very formal writing.

Grammar pattern

be + default

Memory hint

Think of 'default' as the 'de-fault' choice - the option you fall back to.

Collocations

default setting
default option
default mode
default value

Synonyms

standard
normal
usual
baseline
preset

Antonyms

custom
optional
alternative

Common mistakes

Confused with 'defeat' which has a very different meaning.
Used as a verb incorrectly, should only be used as a noun or adjective.
Misunderstood in finance as only negative; it can refer to a standard setting.