Fault: meaning, definitions and examples

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fault

 

[ fɒlt ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

legal

A failure or defect in a product or service; an error or mistake.

Synonyms

defect, error, mistake

Examples of usage

  • The company admitted fault in the design of the faulty product.
  • She accepted full fault for the error in the report.
Context #2 | Noun

responsibility

The responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

Synonyms

blame, culpability, responsibility

Examples of usage

  • He took full fault for the accident.
  • There was a dispute over who was at fault for the misunderstanding.
Context #3 | Verb

admitting guilt

To acknowledge or admit responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

Synonyms

acknowledge, admit, confess

Examples of usage

  • She faulted herself for not double-checking the information.
  • He faulted the team for the project's failure.

Translations

Translations of the word "fault" in other languages:

🇵🇹 falha

🇮🇳 त्रुटि

🇩🇪 Fehler

🇮🇩 kesalahan

🇺🇦 помилка

🇵🇱 błąd

🇯🇵 過失 (かしつ)

🇫🇷 faute

🇪🇸 falta

🇹🇷 hata

🇰🇷 결함 (gyeolham)

🇸🇦 خطأ (khaṭa')

🇨🇿 chyba

🇸🇰 chyba

🇨🇳 故障 (gùzhàng)

🇸🇮 napaka

🇮🇸 villa

🇰🇿 қате

🇬🇪 შეცდომა (shecdoma)

🇦🇿 səhv

🇲🇽 falta

Etymology

The word 'fault' originated from the Old French term 'faute', which means 'lack' or 'deficiency'. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of a mistake or error. The concept of fault has been significant in various fields, including law, engineering, and personal relationships, where assigning responsibility is crucial for accountability and resolution.

See also: faultfinder, faultfinding, faulting, faultless, faultlessly, faults, faulty.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,459, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.