fault

About 20.38 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun Culpability; the responsibility for a blameworthy event.

   No, don't blame yourself. It's my fault that we lost the game.

2. noun A defect, imperfection, or weakness; more severe than a flaw. A failing of character; less severe than a vice.

   Despite all her faults, she’s a good person at heart.

3. noun A failing of character; less severe than a vice.

   Despite all her faults, she’s a good person at heart.

4. noun A characteristic, positive or negative or both, which increases one's risk of danger or difficulty.

   You're still young, that's your fault.

5. noun A strongly undesirable variation of food or drink caused by impurity or contamination.

   Cork taint is one of the most recognizable wine faults.

6. noun A point of weakness in something's physical structure.
7. noun A mistake or error. A minor offense. An illegal serve. A penalty point assessed in horseback events such as show jumping.

   If the horse refuses an obstacle, the rider will receive four faults.

8. noun A minor offense.

Similar words

defect demerit error mistake blame break fracture flaw fault line geological fault

Often followed by

of with in is that and was or to

Word family

faulted faulting faults