noun · neutral
penalty
/ˈpɛnəlti/PEN·al·ty
Band 7+task2speaking
a punishment or disadvantage imposed for breaking a law or rule
Examples
“The penalty for littering in that city is a heavy fine.”
“Sporting offences can carry penalties such as suspensions.”
“Companies face severe penalties if they breach environmental regulations.”
Band 8 sentence
“Imposing disproportionate penalties on minor offences can undermine public trust in the justice system.”
Collocations
- face penalties
- severe penalty
- financial penalty
Word family
penalise (penalize) verbpenalty nounpenal adjective
Common mistakes
receive a penaltyed→receive a penalty / be penalised
pay penalty→pay a penalty / pay the penalty
Say it for a higher band
5punishment→6fine→7+penalty
Synonyms
punishment
Easily confused
punishment
“The company was given a substantial penalty for breaking emissions rules.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Crime & Law
Learn it with its set