penalty
Definitions
A punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract.
（违反法律、规则或合同的）处罚，罚则。
A disadvantage suffered as a result of one's own action: the penalty of fame.
（因自身行为招致的）代价，弊端：成名的代价。
In sports, a punishment for a foul, such as a free kick or shot (a penalty kick).
（体育中犯规的）判罚，点球。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpen (poena, penalty) + -al + -ty = 'the thing relating to punishment.' This branch keeps the poena spelling closer than punish does. A penalty is the price set in advance for breaking a rule — which is why it spans law, contracts, and sports alike.
Root pun still carries 33 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.impose a penalty施以处罚
- 2.pay the penalty付出代价
- 3.death penalty死刑
- 4.penalty kick点球
- 5.harsh penalty严厉处罚
Example Sentences
- 1.
The penalty for late payment is a five percent surcharge.
- 2.
Loneliness can be the penalty of constant travel.
- 3.
He scored from the penalty in the final minute.
Easily Confused
penalty vs fine — A fine is always money paid as punishment. A penalty is broader: it can be a fine, but also jail, a points deduction, a sports sanction, or any built-in disadvantage. Every fine is a penalty; not every penalty is a fine.