FLAW

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flaw mean? 

• FLAW (noun)
  The noun FLAW has 3 senses:

1. an imperfection in an object or machine

2. defect or weakness in a person's character

3. an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness

  Familiarity information: FLAW used as a noun is uncommon.

• FLAW (verb)
  The verb FLAW has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: FLAW used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLAW (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An imperfection in an object or machine

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

defect; fault; flaw

Context example:

if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer

Hypernyms ("flaw" is a kind of...):

imperfection; imperfectness (the state or an instance of being imperfect)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "flaw"):

blister (a flaw on a surface resulting when an applied substance does not adhere (as an air bubble in a coat of paint))

bug; glitch (a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine)

hole (a fault)

Derivation:

flaw (add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Defect or weakness in a person's character

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

he had his flaws, but he was great nonetheless

Hypernyms ("flaw" is a kind of...):

failing; weakness (a flaw or weak point)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "flaw"):

hamartia; tragic flaw (the character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall)

Derivation:

flaw (add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("flaw" is a kind of...):

imperfection; imperfectness (the state or an instance of being imperfect)

• FLAW (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they flaw    ... he / she / it flaws   
Past simple: flawed   
Past participle: flawed   
-ing form: flawing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

blemish; flaw

Hypernyms (to "flaw" is one way to...):

damage (inflict damage upon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

flaw (defect or weakness in a person's character)

flaw (an imperfection in an object or machine)

 Context examples 

You can hardly find a flaw in the case which can now be presented against him, and all further investigation has served to strengthen it.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In a study, Dr Hunt reveals the new tool shows the 'safe' limit of BPA stipulated by the US Food and Drug Administration is flawed.

(Humans exposed to far more hormone-disrupting chemicals than thought, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Instead, when he had done, she pointed out the minor flaws and said that she liked the story.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Vanhoef notified vendors about the flaw in July, including UNIX-like operating system OpenBSD.

(Digital security researchers publicly reveal vulnerability in WPA2 WiFi protocol, Wikinews)

You will feel love for your partner, flaws and all.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Do you not see some loophole, some flaw?

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The key place to carry out such a transfer would be flaws within the diamond, locations where elements other than carbon are trapped in the diamond's carbon lattice.

(Key Tech for Quantum Communications Offered by Implanting Diamonds with Flaws, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Wouldst find flaw in the sun?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"And that's the first flaw in your reasoning," the other objected.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

In a scientific research study or clinical trial, a flaw in the study design or the method of collecting or interpreting information.

(Bias, NCI Dictionary)