Faulty
/ˈfɔːlti/
Definitions
2 meaningsContaining defects; imperfect; malfunctioning.
/ˈfɔːlti/
Containing faults or imperfections; not working correctly.
The faulty brakes made the car dangerous to drive.
💡 Simply: Imagine your phone won't turn on, or your toy breaks easily. Something is *faulty* when it's not working right, like something is 'broken'.
👶 For kids: When something is faulty, it means it doesn't work the way it should, like a toy that won't move.
More Examples
The computer's faulty software caused frequent crashes.
She blamed the faulty instructions for her mistake.
How It's Used
"The faulty wiring caused a power outage."
"The mechanic diagnosed a faulty engine part."
Containing errors or mistakes in judgment, logic, or action.
/ˈfɔːlti/
Characterized by errors or mistakes.
The faulty premise of his argument undermined its credibility.
💡 Simply: When you make a mistake in your calculations or your thinking, your process is *faulty*. It's like building a tower on a wobbly base!
👶 For kids: If you think something the wrong way, or you make a mistake when you are thinking about something, it's faulty thinking.
More Examples
She acknowledged her faulty judgment in the matter.
The investigation revealed faulty procedures in the company.
How It's Used
"His faulty reasoning led to an incorrect conclusion."
"The student made several faulty assumptions in her essay."
Idioms & expressions
faulty towers
A situation where many things go wrong or are of poor quality.
"The disorganized event was a real faulty towers."
From Middle English *fauty*, from Old French *faultif* (“faulty, blameworthy”), from *faute* (“fault”).
Historically, 'faulty' has been used to describe things with imperfections or errors in a variety of contexts, reflecting the general meaning of 'having a defect'.
Memory tip
Think of a car with a *faulty* engine - it's not working correctly!
Word Origin
"faultif (faulty, blameworthy) derived from faute (fault)"