flaw
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe something wrong, but they differ in scope and register. 'Flaw' is the most general — it covers physical cracks, character weaknesses, and logical errors equally well. 'Defect' leans toward manufacturing or mechanical problems and often implies something is unfit for use (a defective product cannot function properly). 'Imperfection' is the gentlest term, used for surface-level or cosmetic issues rather than serious faults — a small scratch is an imperfection, not a defect. 'Weakness' is broader and applies to ability, structure, or character; it suggests vulnerability under pressure rather than a fixed imperfection — you can overcome a weakness, but a flaw is permanent. 'Fault' overlaps with 'flaw' but also carries a sense of blame or responsibility ('It's my fault'). For a physical object, use 'flaw' for a small crack and 'defect' when it prevents proper function. For a person, 'character flaw' is a fixed trait, while 'weakness' may be temporary or situational.
Common collocations
Etymology
Flaw came into English from Old Norse 'flaga', meaning a stone slab or a layer. In the 1300s it referred to a chip or crack in a piece of stone. Over the centuries the meaning broadened from a physical crack to any kind of imperfection — in a person's character, a plan, or an argument.