What does default mean in the context of a loan?

In the context of a loan, default specifically refers to the situation where the borrower is unable to meet their repayment obligations as defined in the loan agreement. This typically means that the borrower has failed to make the payments on time, whether due to financial hardship or other circumstances. When a borrower defaults, it can lead to serious consequences such as late fees, a negative impact on their credit score, or even foreclosure in the case of secured loans.

While the other options provide scenarios that are related to loan management, they do not accurately represent what default entails. For instance, paying off a loan early or successfully meeting its terms indicate positive outcomes, while missing just one payment does not necessarily constitute a default unless it's part of a larger pattern of non-payment. Therefore, the definition of default is clearly linked to the failure to fulfill the financial obligations of the loan.