Word
flaw
Meanings
a defect or imperfection in something made or designed
a weakness in someone’s character or behavior
a mistake or weakness in a plan, argument, or system
Definition
A flaw is a weakness or imperfection that reduces the quality of something.
A flaw is a problem or imperfection in an object, a piece of work, or a plan that makes it less effective or less attractive. It can also be a weakness in someone’s character or behavior. A flaw may be small and fixable, or serious enough to change the overall result.
Examples
- The report is persuasive overall, but one flaw in its logic undermines the final conclusion.
- I admired the design, yet I noticed a minor flaw in the stitching along my jacket’s sleeve.
- She acknowledged her flaw of impatience and worked on listening before responding.
- They discovered a critical flaw in the schedule when their delivery dates started to overlap.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "flaw" with "scratch" or "stain"; a flaw can be invisible and can also refer to weaknesses in plans or personality, not only surface marks.
More at C1 level
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