flaw

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈflȯ 

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 one flaw in his character.

There are a few flaws in your argument.

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

Synonyms of flaw

Noun (1)

• defect
• blotch
• scar

Verb

• damage
• mar
• compromise
• injure
• cripple
• hurt

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

Noun

These are the kinds of matchups that expose a team’s flaws. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026

According to the profile, his tolerance for right-wing antisemitism is rooted in a catastrophist worldview that frames American liberalism as an existential threat and Trumpism, with all its flaws, as the only viable alternative. —Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026

Verb

Player recruitment was muddled, managerial appointments flawed (Remi Garde lasted 147 days in that relegation season) and the team underperformed. —Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

Other elements of the program’s construction are flawed along more conventional lines. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing flaw

• tragic flaw

Rhymes for flaw

• aah
• ah
• ahh
• aw
• awe
• bah
• blah
• bra
• caw
• claw
• craw
• daw

Kids Definition

flaw

1 of 2 noun

ˈflȯ 

: a small often hidden defect

flawless

-ləs

adjective

flawlessly adverb

flawlessness noun

flaw

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become defective