Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Penalty: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：sports punishment (penalty)

penalty 🔊

/ˈpenəlti/

A punishment given in sports for breaking the rules, like a free kick in soccer or a time-out in hockey.

Penalty in sports illustrated by a referee pointing at a football on the penalty spot.

sports punishment 🔊

➕

/ˈspɔːts ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

A formal punishment imposed on a player or team for breaking the rules during a game or match.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'poenalis', meaning 'of punishment', related to 'poena' meaning 'penalty, punishment'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'pen' as in penitentiary (a prison for punishment) + 'alty' sounding like 'guilty'. A penalty is the consequence for being guilty.

📖 Example

The defender was shown a yellow card, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to the other team. 🔊 The defender was shown a yellow card, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to the other team.

🔗 Collocations

penalty kick – A direct free kick at the goal in soccer, awarded after a foul in the penalty area.

penalty shot – An unchallenged attempt to score in hockey or other sports, awarded for a serious foul.

death penalty – In sports slang, a severe punishment or a decisive, game-ending penalty.

🔄 Synonyms

foul (n.) – An action that is against the rules of a sport.

infraction (n.) – A violation or breaking of a rule or law, often used in formal sports contexts.

🚫 Antonyms

reward (n.) – Something given in recognition of good behavior or achievement, opposite of a punishment.

🌱 Derivatives

penalize (v.) – To punish someone for breaking a rule or law, especially in sports.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'penalty' entered English in the late 15th century from Medieval Latin 'penalitas'. It originally carried the general sense of punishment for an offense, a meaning rooted in legal contexts. Over time, it broadened to include specific applications like financial fines and, notably, standardized punishments in organized sports, reflecting its role in maintaining rules and fairness.

Meaning 2：financial fine (penalty)

penalty 🔊

/ˈpenəlti/

An amount of money you have to pay for breaking a rule, law, or contract, like a late fee.

Financial penalty example showing a parking ticket with a fine amount on a car windshield.

financial fine 🔊

➕

/ˈfaɪnænʃəl faɪn/

A sum of money required to be paid as a punishment for an offense against a law, rule, or contract.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

If you return the library book after the due date, you will have to pay a small penalty. 🔊 If you return the library book after the due date, you will have to pay a small penalty.

🔗 Collocations

financial penalty – A punishment involving the payment of money.

pay a penalty – To be required to give money as a consequence for wrongdoing.

penalty clause – A part of a contract that specifies the consequences for breaking its terms.

🔄 Synonyms

fine (n.) – A sum of money exacted as a penalty for an offense.

sanction (n.) – A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.

forfeit (n.) – Something that is lost or given up as a penalty.

🚫 Antonyms

reward (n.) – A benefit given for good conduct, opposite of a financial penalty.

bonus (n.) – An extra payment or benefit, especially one given as an incentive.

🌱 Derivatives

penal (adj.) – Relating to, used for, or prescribing the punishment of offenders under the legal system.