Flaw
/flɔː/
Definitions
2 meaningsA mistake, fault, or weakness that makes something not perfect.
/flɔː/
A defect or imperfection.
The architect identified a flaw in the building's structure.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO castle, but one of the bricks is a little bit wonky. That wonky brick is a 'flaw' – something that makes the castle not quite right. It's like having a tiny problem that stops something from being perfect.
👶 For kids: A mistake or something that's not perfect.
More Examples
The movie had a major plot flaw that confused the audience.
Despite his many talents, he had a flaw – a tendency to procrastinate.
How It's Used
"The car had a design flaw."
"There was a critical flaw in the contract."
"Her biggest flaw was her impatience."
To impair, spoil, or damage something.
/flɔː/
To create a flaw in something.
The impact of the accident flawed the car's chassis.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a perfect cake and you drop it, putting a dent in it. To 'flaw' something means to make it less perfect, like that dent. You damage it in some way.
👶 For kids: To make something not perfect.
More Examples
The writer's lack of research flawed the credibility of the article.
His constant interruptions flawed the flow of the meeting.
How It's Used
"The manufacturing process inadvertently flawed several components."
"His anger flawed his otherwise perfect argument."
Idioms & expressions
flaw in the ointment
A problem or imperfection that spoils something otherwise good.
"The party was going great, but the sudden rain was a flaw in the ointment."
From Middle English *flawe*, from Old Norse *flagi* ('fragment, splinter').
Historically, the word has been used since the early 15th century.
Memory tip
Think of a crack in a beautiful piece of art – the flaw.
Word Origin
"fragment, splinter"