faulty

adjective

ˈfȯl-tē 

faultier; faultiest

: marked by fault or defect : imperfect

faultily

ˈfȯl-tə-lē 

adverb

faultiness

ˈfȯl-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of faulty

• defective

Examples of faulty in a Sentence

the cause of the plane crash was traced to faulty wiring

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, with clever coding even faulty qubits can be optimized to create a high-performance system. — Donald Keough, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026

Both sides suggest that the spark for the explosion was a common mishap among people who handle fireworks — the faulty placement of an electronic igniter used to set off pyrotechnics. — Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams will replace a faulty wrist joint on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 June 2026

An agent rerouting a supply chain, approving a transaction, or reprioritizing a customer escalation based on faulty assumptions is something else entirely. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for faulty

• salty

Kids Definition

faulty

adjective

ˈfȯl-tē 

faultier; faultiest

: having a fault or weakness : imperfect

faultily

-tə-lē 

adverb

faultiness

-tē-nəs 

noun