1
a
: a defect in physical structure or form
a diamond with a flaw
b
: an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness
vanity was the flaw in his character
a flaw in the book's plot
2
obsolete : fragment

flaw

2 of 3

verb

flawed; flawing; flaws

transitive verb

: to make flaws in : mar

intransitive verb

: to become defective

flaw

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a sudden brief burst of wind
the wind changed with flaws from westward Archibald MacLeish
also : a spell of stormy weather
2
obsolete : an outburst especially of passion

Examples of flaw in a Sentence

Noun (1) noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it Verb that crack has flawed the vase to the extent that its value in the antiques market is greatly reduced
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
If some of the DEI programmes that companies and colleges introduced were flawed, why not reform them? The Week Uk, theweek, 15 Dec. 2024 The comparison between how law enforcement handled the Capitol riot and the Floyd protests is flawed, Kent Greenfield, a professor at Boston College Law School told the AP in 2021. Simmone Shah, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
Oasis reported the flaw to Microsoft, and a fix was deployed on Oct. 9, although the full details of that fix remain confidential. Davey Winder, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 Cardinale expressed concern that many will be looking to exploit any potential flaws in the prosecution's case. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flaw 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, flake, from Old Norse flaga stone slab, moldar flaga thin layer of turf; akin to Old English flōh flat stone

Noun (2)

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian flaga gust, squall

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flaw was in 1513

Dictionary Entries Near flaw

Cite this Entry

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaw. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

: a small often hidden defect
flawless
-ləs
adjective
flawlessly adverb
flawlessness noun

flaw

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become defective

More from Merriam-Webster on flaw

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