Daily Word Box

Install Daily Word Box: tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.

Word

defective

adjective
/dɪˈfɛktɪv/

Meanings

adjective

Having a fault or flaw; not working correctly or meeting the expected standard.

Visual cue for defective — meaning 1
adjective

Not fully developed or impaired in some way (used to describe a part, ability, or system).

Visual cue for defective — meaning 2

Definition

Defective means having a fault or flaw that prevents something from working properly.

If something is defective, it has a problem in the way it was made or a part is damaged, so it does not work as it should. The defect can make the item unsafe, unreliable, or lower in quality. The word is often used for products, parts, or systems that fail to meet a standard.

Examples

  • The headphones were defective, so I returned them the next day.
  • We discovered a defective wire that kept the lamp from turning on.
  • The company recalled the defective batch of car seats.
  • If the product is defective, you can request a refund.
  • The technician replaced the defective part in under an hour.