flaw
1[ flaw ]
/ flɔ /
Save This Word!
noun
a feature that mars the perfection of something; defect; fault: beauty without flaw; the flaws in our plan.
a defect impairing legal soundness or validity.
a crack, break, breach, or rent.
verb (used with object)
to produce a flaw in.
verb (used without object)
to contract a flaw; become cracked or defective.
SYNONYMS FOR flaw
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of flaw
11275–1325; Middle English flaw(e), flage, perhaps <Old Norse flaga sliver, flake
synonym study for flaw
1. See defect.
OTHER WORDS FROM flaw
flawless, adjectiveWords nearby flaw
flavory, flavour, flavour enhancer, flavourful, flavouring, flaw, flawed, flawless, flax, flaxen, flax kit
Definition for flaw (2 of 2)
flaw2
[ flaw ]
/ flɔ /
noun
Also called windflaw. a sudden, usually brief windstorm or gust of wind.
a short spell of rough weather.
Obsolete. a burst of feeling, fury, etc.
Origin of flaw
2First recorded in 1475–85, flaw is from the Old Norse word flaga attack, squall
OTHER WORDS FROM flaw
flawy, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for flaw
British Dictionary definitions for flaw (1 of 2)
flaw1
/ (flɔː) /
noun
an imperfection, defect, or blemish
a crack, breach, or rift
law an invalidating fault or defect in a document or proceeding
verb
to make or become blemished, defective, or imperfect
Derived forms of flaw
flawless, adjectiveflawlessly, adverbflawlessness, nounWord Origin for flaw
C14: probably from Old Norse flaga stone slab; related to Swedish flaga chip, flake, flaw
British Dictionary definitions for flaw (2 of 2)
flaw2
/ (flɔː) /
noun
- a sudden short gust of wind; squall
- a spell of bad, esp windy, weather
obsolete an outburst of strong feeling
Derived forms of flaw
flawy, adjectiveWord Origin for flaw
C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian flaga squall, gust, Middle Dutch vlāghe
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