Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

flaw

1 American  
[flaw] / flɔ /

noun

  1. a feature that mars the perfection of something; defect; fault.

    beauty without flaw; the flaws in our plan.
    Synonyms:
    spot, blot, imperfection

  2. a defect impairing legal soundness or validity.

  3. a crack, break, breach, or rent.

    Synonyms:
    rift, fissure

verb (used with object)

  1. to produce a flaw in.

verb (used without object)

  1. to contract a flaw; become cracked or defective.

flaw 2 American  
[flaw] / flɔ /

noun

  1. Also called windflaw.  a sudden, usually brief windstorm or gust of wind.

  2. a short spell of rough weather.

  3. Obsolete. a burst of feeling, fury, etc.

flaw 1 British  
/ flɔː /

noun

  1. an imperfection, defect, or blemish

  2. a crack, breach, or rift

  3. law an invalidating fault or defect in a document or proceeding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make or become blemished, defective, or imperfect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
flaw 2 British  
/ flɔː /

noun

    1. a sudden short gust of wind; squall

    2. a spell of bad, esp windy, weather

  2. obsolete an outburst of strong feeling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See defect.

Other Word Forms

  • flawless adjective
  • flawlessly adverb
  • flawlessness noun
  • flawy adjective

Etymology

Origin of flaw1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English flage, flaw(e), perhaps from Old Norse flaga “sliver, flake”

Origin of flaw2

First recorded in 1475–85, flaw is from the Old Norse word flaga attack, squall

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.

"Despite its flaws and deep polarisation, South Korean democracy is working," Hwang says.

From BBC

However Loch Lomond and the Trossachs park authority said "significant structural issues" were found with the tower due to a design flaw that did not include enough room for drains and ventilation.

From BBC

In some respects he is a flawed keeper, especially under crosses, but has that uncanny, priceless habit of making stunning match-winning saves that makes up for other failings.

From BBC

It was seriously flawed but that made the manner of the win all the more laudable.

From BBC

Credibility, I assumed, was built by projecting competence and composure, not by exposing flaws.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.