fault

1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯlt 

 in poetry also  ˈfȯt

1

a

: weakness, failing

especially : a moral weakness less serious than a vice

He loves her despite her many faults.

b

: a physical or intellectual imperfection or impairment : defect

a theory with some serious faults

c

: an error especially in service in a net or racket game

She committed too many faults to win the match.

2

: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure

the accident was the driver's fault

3

a

: mistake

The misplacement of "only" is one of the most common writing faults.

b

: misdemeanor

a small boy's faults

4

: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture

Frequent earthquakes have occurred along the San Andreas Fault.

5

obsolete : lack

Illustration of fault

• 1 fault with displaced strata a b c d e
• 2 scarp

fault

2 of 2

verb

faulted; faulting; faults

transitive verb

1

: to find a fault in

easy to praise this book and to fault it

—H. G. Roepke

2

: blame, censure

can't fault them for not coming

3

: to produce a geologic fault in

intransitive verb

1

: to commit a fault : err

2

: to fracture so as to produce a geologic fault

Phrases

at fault

1

: open to blame : responsible

you were really at fault

2

: unable to find the scent and continue chase

to a fault

: to an excessive degree

precise to a fault

Synonyms

Noun

• demerit
• dereliction
• failing
• foible
• frailty
• shortcoming
• sin
• vice
• want
• weakness

Verb

• blame
• censure
• condemn
• criticize
• denounce
• dis [slang]
• diss
• dispraise
• knock
• pan
• reprehend
• slag [chiefly British]

Choose the Right Synonym for fault

fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character.

fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Examples of fault in a Sentence

Noun

Lack of courage is his worst fault.

If the book has a fault, it's that it's too long.

It's your own fault you missed that bus.

Through no fault of his own, he won't be able to attend the meeting.

She committed too many faults to win the match.

Verb

The truck driver was faulted for the accident.

Many have faulted her for not acting sooner.

I can't fault him for trying to protect his family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The process isn't for natural disasters such as hurricanes, but for when there is someone at fault. —CBS News, 10 Feb. 2025

Is the man responsible for his actions, or is his brain at fault? —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Verb

During the 1930s, while the country was suffering through a relentless economic depression, The New Yorker was sometimes faulted for blithely ignoring the seriousness of the nation’s problems. —Christopher B. Daly, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025

None faults visitors for wanting to enjoy themselves. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English faute, falte, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fallita, from feminine of fallitus, past participle of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing fault

• comma fault
• double fault
• fault line
• fault-tolerant
• find fault
• foot fault
• no-fault
• transform fault

Kids Definition

fault

1 of 2 noun

ˈfȯlt 

1

a

: a weakness in character : failing

b

: a physical or mental flaw

2

a

: a wrongful act

b

: mistake entry 2 sense 2

3

: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure

it's all my fault

4

: a break in the earth's crust accompanied by a displacement of rock masses parallel to the break

faultless

-ləs

adjective

faultlessly adverb

faultlessness noun

fault

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fracture so as to produce a geologic fault

2

: to find a fault in

Legal Definition

fault

noun

1

: a usually intentional act forbidden by law

also : a usually intentional omission to do something (as to exercise due care) required by law see also negligence compare no-fault, strict liability at liability

Note: Sometimes when fault is used in legal contexts it includes negligence, sometimes it is considered synonymous with negligence, and sometimes it is distinguished from negligence. Fault and negligence are the usual bases for liability in the law of torts.

2

: responsibility for an act or omission that causes damage or injury to another

relative degrees of fault

see also comparative fault

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French faute lack, failing, ultimately from Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint