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

In Chicago, the city is on track to blow past the $252 million spent last year to resolve police lawsuits, mostly involving plaintiffs who went to prison based on faulty evidence, according to local news reports. — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The last thing this young and impressionable Dolphins squad needs is to have doubts that the progress being made, the foundation being laid, is faulty, and fragile. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Although much of its information about the disease would later be considered faulty, the film broke ground for dealing with the topic two years before the death of singer Karen Carpenter made the eating disorder common knowledge. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Electrical issues — like faulty wiring, overloaded power strips, and improper extension cord usage — are the leading cause of fatal fires so far this year. — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 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