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foreclose — to take possession of a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to keep up their mortgage payments

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to take possession of a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to keep up their mortgage payments

Pronunciation (IPA): /fɔːrˈkloʊz/

Example Sentences

  • After losing his job, Tom feared the bank would foreclose on his dream house that he bought with his lottery winnings.
  • The coffee shop owner joked that if customers kept stealing spoons, he'd foreclose on their caffeine privileges.
  • Her decision to drop out of medical school foreclosed many career opportunities in healthcare.

foreclose

VERB

[/fɔːrˈkloʊz/]

to take possession of a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to keep up their mortgage payments

a stern-looking real estate agent in a business suit holds official papers while pointing toward a family standing by their front door. The agent's other hand gestures toward a large truck in the driveway loaded with the family's belongings. The family of three looks devastated as they realize they must leave their home immediately. Behind them, movers continue loading furniture and boxes onto the truck. A neighbor peers over the fence with a concerned expression watching the sad scene unfold.  a bank taking possession of a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to keep up their mortgage payments
💡 Concept

a stern-looking real estate agent in a business suit holds official papers while pointing toward a family standing by their front door. The agent's other hand gestures toward a large truck in the driveway loaded with the family's belongings. The family of three looks devastated as they realize they must leave their home immediately. Behind them, movers continue loading furniture and boxes onto the truck. A neighbor peers over the fence with a concerned expression watching the sad scene unfold. a bank taking possession of a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to keep up their mortgage payments

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/fɔːrˈkloʊz/
🇬🇧 UK/fɔːˈkləʊz/

🌳Etymology

Prefixfore--
Rootclose

Origin

From Latin 'foris' meaning 'outside' and 'claudere' meaning 'to close or shut.' The word literally meant 'to shut out from the outside,' which evolved into the legal concept of excluding someone from property ownership.

Breakdown

fore- (outside, before) + close (to shut) = to shut out or exclude from ownership

🎵Rhyme

disclose
compose
propose
suppose

🔗Collocations

foreclose on a mortgage
foreclose the possibility
bank foreclosed
foreclosure proceedings
foreclose options

📝Examples

“After losing his job, Tom feared the bank would foreclose on his dream house that he bought with his lottery winnings.”

😄 Fun example

“The coffee shop owner joked that if customers kept stealing spoons, he'd foreclose on their caffeine privileges.”

“Her decision to drop out of medical school foreclosed many career opportunities in healthcare.”

😄 Fun example

“The vampire was disappointed to learn that garlic allergies could foreclose his chances of enjoying Italian cuisine.”

📚Related Words

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