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. 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

flaw

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

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

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

Origin of flaw²

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

Synonym Study

See defect.

Example Sentences

It heard how the algorithm used to determine if someone had been overpaid was based on flawed calculations by averaging a person's fortnightly income.

From BBC

Between injuries, slumps, defensive miscues and mechanical swing flaws, Hernández has endured one of his worst career seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is a staggering affront to the public,” the group wrote in its testimony, “to see such a flawed product put forward as an official U.S. Government document.”

From Los Angeles Times

Allen may have surprised listeners who know the director as a master satirist of the flawed personality, but Maher was right on brand.

From Los Angeles Times

Living Rent's national campaigns chairwoman, Ruth Gilbert, said the system was "deeply flawed" and called for protections to be introduced until the new controls come into law.

From BBC

Related Words

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