flaw

/flɔ:/

Thân thiện

A small flaw in the glass caused it to crack when filled with hot water.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An imperfection in a plan, theory, or legal document that causes it to fail or reduces its effectiveness: A flaw is a mistake, weakness, or omission that makes something less perfect or functional.
   • A defect or weakness in a person's character: A flaw is a less desirable quality or trait in someone's personality.
   • An imperfection in an object or machine: A flaw is a physical defect, crack, or blemish that makes an item less than perfect.

2. Verb:

   • To add a flaw or blemish to; to make imperfect or defective: The action of causing an imperfection or damaging something's perfection.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The argument's logical flaw was obvious to everyone. (The mistake in the reasoning was clear.)
  • Vanity was his greatest character flaw. (His excessive pride was his main personal weakness.)
  • They discovered a tiny flaw in the diamond. (They found a small imperfection in the gemstone.)

• Verb:

  • A single scratch flawed the otherwise pristine surface. (One scratch damaged the perfect surface.)
  • The rushed process flawed the final product. (The hurried work made the end result defective.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tragic flaw": In literature, a character trait that leads to the downfall of a hero.
  • Hamlet's tragic flaw is often considered to be his indecisiveness.
• "Fatal flaw": A defect so serious it causes complete failure.
  • The plane's fatal flaw was a design error in the wing.

Variants and Related Words

• Flawed (adj): Having imperfections or defects.
  • The theory is interesting but fundamentally flawed.
• Flawless (adj): Without any flaws; perfect.
  • She gave a flawless performance.
• Flawlessness (n): The quality of being perfect, without defects.

Synonyms

• Noun: Defect, imperfection, fault, weakness, blemish, crack, shortcoming.
• Verb: Mar, spoil, blemish, damage, impair.

Related Phrases

• Flaw in the argument: A mistake or weak point in reasoning.
  • He quickly pointed out the flaw in the argument.
• Inherent flaw: A defect that is a basic part of something's nature.
  • The system has an inherent flaw that makes it unfair.

Idioms

• "To find flaw with": To criticize or point out imperfections in something.
  • He could always find flaw with any plan we proposed.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness
2. defect or weakness in a person's character
   • he had his flaws, but he was great nonetheless
3. an imperfection in an object or machine
   • a flaw caused the crystal to shatter
   • if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer

Verb

1. add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective

Từ đồng nghĩa

• defect
• fault
• blemish