flaw

¹

[ flaw ]

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

[ flaw ]

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

/ 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

flaw

²

/ 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

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈflawy, adjective
• ˈflawlessness, noun
• ˈflawlessly, adverb
• ˈflawless, adjective

Other Words From

• flawless adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flaw¹

C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian flaga squall, gust, Middle Dutch vlāghe

Origin of flaw²

C14: probably from Old Norse flaga stone slab; related to Swedish flaga chip, flake, flaw

Synonym Study

See defect.

Example Sentences

During this sequence, the film’s flaws briefly fade, giving way to the kind of classic movie magic that has become all too scarce.

From Salon

An MP said there were "huge flaws" in the government's original impact assessment for the scheme, while another queried why compensation was not capped.

From BBC

He likens Trump to Samson, a flawed biblical figure who was used by God for a greater purpose.

From Los Angeles Times

“But that’s only if you’re thinking about existing in a flawed society. You can’t build up your psyche and your understanding of yourself based off of something that actually is arbitrary.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I was a little obnoxious for the first few years,” Hoff said of her constant questioning and search for a critical flaw.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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