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

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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.

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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

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verb

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

flaw ² British  

/ flɔː /

noun

1. 1. a sudden short gust of wind; squall

   2. a spell of bad, esp windy, weather

2. obsolete an outburst of strong feeling

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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

The health board previously told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that it accepts many aspects of the design, build and commissioning of the hospital campus were flawed.

From BBC

The flaw was reportedly discovered on Thursday by John Hewitt from the corporate services provider Ghost Mail, who alerted Companies House and the independent think tank the Tax Policy Associates.

From BBC

These galleries showed a wide spectrum of car concepts, including highly effective designs, unusual ideas, and even some intentionally flawed options.

From Science Daily

Opponents warn the bill is flawed and any attempt to push it through would be unsafe and would harm vulnerable people.

From BBC

She said there was "a massive flaw in the system".

From BBC

Related Words

• blemish
• bug
• defect
• failing
• fault
• foible
• glitch
• pitfall
• weakness