flaw

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A mark, crack or fault that spoils the look or strength of something otherwise good.

   Grammar: Has a plural: one flaw, many flaws.

   Patterns

   • a flaw in something

   The jeweler found a tiny flaw in the diamond.

   A hidden flaw in the metal made the bridge unsafe.

   The vase looks perfect, except for one small flaw near the base.

2. 2nouncountable

   A weakness in someone's character or in a plan or argument.

   Grammar: Often used with in: a flaw in the plan.

   Patterns

   • a flaw in something
   • a fatal flaw

   Pride was his greatest flaw.

   The lawyer pointed out a flaw in the witness's story.

   There is a serious flaw in the way the study was designed.

Word forms

Common combinations

fatal flaw

A fatal flaw in the design forced the company to recall the product.

minor flaw

There is only one minor flaw in an otherwise strong essay.

character flaw

Impatience is a common character flaw.

point out a flaw

She pointed out a flaw in the plan.

a flaw in the logic

There is a flaw in the logic of his proposal.

Synonyms and how they differ

defect

Defect is more technical and is usually used for faults in manufactured things, while flaw is broader.

blemish

Blemish refers to a surface mark that spoils appearance, whereas flaw can be a deeper weakness.

weakness

Weakness is about a lack of strength and is less specific than flaw.

fault

Fault often suggests blame, while flaw just names the imperfection.

Opposites

Word family

flawed adjective

having a fault or weakness

flawless adjective

perfect, without any faults

flawlessly adverb

in a perfect way

flaw verb

to spoil or weaken with a fault, now rare

Commonly confused: flaw or floor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “flaw”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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