faultless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of faultless
First recorded in 1300–50, faultless is from the Middle English word fautles. See fault, -less
Explanation
Anything that's faultless doesn't have a single flaw — it's perfect. It's surprising to learn that an actor is Welsh when she can speak with a faultless American accent. Faultless things have no faults or imperfections, like a comedian's faultless imitation of the president, which sounds identical to the real person. You can also use this adjective to describe someone who's not at fault, or can't be blamed: "I know someone ate the brownies, but I wasn't home and I'm utterly faultless." The fault part of faultless has a Latin root meaning "deceive or disappoint."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once Egg is unmasked, we come to understand why he’s so drawn to this enormous man whose gentle spirit permeates Claffey’s faultless performance.
From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026
When she botched the final jump of her otherwise faultless short program, it was the shattering of her dream that left Glenn more distraught than the score that dropped her to 13th place.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026
He began the day five behind former world number one Rahm and fellow overnight leader Bryson DeChambeau, but reeled them in at Grange Golf Club with a faultless round.
From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026
Piastri's stop was faultless at 1.9 seconds but Norris's front right wheel gun had a problem and his stop was 5.9, so Piastri was in the lead when Norris re-emerged on to the track.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025
In a later account, Anthony described him as “a small-brained, pale-faced, prim-looking man, enveloped in a faultless suit of black broadcloth, and a snowy white neck-tie.”
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
