WordGarden.iofaulty
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɒlti/
US
- /ˈfɔlti/
Meanings
Adjective
not working correctly because of a defect
based on mistakes or poor reasoning
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks. If one piece is cracked or does not fit properly, your creation will not work the way you expect. That is the idea behind faulty. It describes something that has a problem, so it does not work right or cannot be trusted. It can talk about physical things, like a faulty toaster or a faulty wire, but it can also describe ideas, reasoning, or memory. A faulty argument has a weak point in its logic, and a faulty memory gives the wrong details. You may also hear about faulty products being taken off store shelves because something in them is wrong.
The word "faulty" describes something that has a flaw, defect, or mistake in it, so it does not work as it should or cannot be fully trusted. It often suggests that something is weak, wrong, or unsafe in an important way. Think of an electrical system: if the wiring is faulty, it may stop working properly or even become dangerous.
Faulty is not only used for broken objects. It can also describe reasoning, information, and judgment. A faulty assumption is an assumption that is wrong and leads to the wrong result. If someone says, "His alibi was based on a faulty memory," it means he remembered the events incorrectly. In the same way, faulty evidence may be inaccurate, misleading, or damaged in some way.
The context changes how serious the problem is. A faulty lightbulb is a small inconvenience, but a faulty parachute could be deadly. The word does not always mean something is ruined forever. It often simply means that there is a problem that needs attention and maybe a repair or replacement. A mechanic might find a faulty part in your car and swap it out. Whether it describes a machine, a plan, a memory, or an argument, faulty tells you that something is not quite right.
Examples
- 1
Watch problem
I think this watch is faulty; it loses ten minutes a day.
- 2
Product return
The store gave us a refund for the faulty charger.
- 3
Electrical safety
The electrician warned us about the faulty wiring in the kitchen.
- 4
Vehicle safety
The accident was blamed on faulty brakes.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Faulty assumption
Her argument rests on the faulty assumption that everyone has internet access.
- Phrasefaulty assumption
a wrong idea that you treat as true
- 6
Research conclusion
The study reached a faulty conclusion because it left out several key facts.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- faultyadjective
Forms
- faultiercomparativeadjective
- faultiestsuperlativeadjective