Fault is a word with several meanings. It can mean a mistakeAn action or idea that is wrong or not correct., a defectA problem in something that makes it less perfect or useful., a weakness, a break in the earth, or responsibility for something bad. It is also used as a verb meaning to blameSay that a person caused a bad event or problem. someone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /fɔlt/
Easy pronunciation: FAWLT (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, stressed on the whole word.
Noun meaning a mistake or error.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fault Meaning
a mistake or error
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a wrong action caused by bad judgment, ignorance, or inattention
Example: I made a fault in the report and had to correct it.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- error — A strong substitute when fault means a mistake.
- mistake — Very common in everyday use for an incorrect action or judgment.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Fault
Meaning 2
a defect or problem in something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an imperfection in an object or machine
Example: The mechanic found a fault in the engine.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- defect — A clear substitute for an imperfect or damaged thing.
- flaw — Works well for a weakness or imperfection in an object.
Meaning 3
a personal weakness or imperfection
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection
Example: Everyone has faults, and nobody is perfect.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- demerit — Can fit this sense, but is less common in everyday English.
Meaning 4
a geological crack in the ground
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a crack in the earth's crust caused by movement on either side
Example: Scientists studied the fault after the earthquake.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- fracture — Can work in geological contexts, though it is broader and less exact.
- geological fault — A direct phrase for this earth-science sense.
Meaning 5
to blame someone
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to put or pin the blame on
Example: You can’t fault her for being late.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- blame — The direct verb synonym for this sense.
Meaning 6
a technical problem or breakdown
Part of speech: noun
Definition: equipment failure caused by a defect in a circuit or connection
Example: The engineer traced the fault to a loose wire.
Meaning 7
the reason someone is blamed
Part of speech: noun
Definition: responsibility for a bad situation or event
Example: It was my fault that we missed the train.
Meaning 8
an illegal serve
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a serve that is illegal in sports
Example: She double-faulted twice in the match.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fault Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- error
- mistake
defect or imperfection in something
- defect
- flaw
personal weakness or imperfection
- demerit
geological crack in the earth's crust
- fracture
- geological fault
to blame someone
- blame
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don't confuse fault meaning 'mistake' with fault meaning 'defect' or 'geological crack'.
- In everyday speech, fault is often used in the phrase 'my fault' to mean responsibility for something bad.
- As a verb, fault means 'blame', not 'find a defect'.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meaning of fault?
The most common everyday meaning is a mistake or error, especially one caused by poor judgment or inattention.
Is fault the same as defect?
Sometimes, but not always. Fault can mean a defect in something, while defect is more directly used for a problem or flaw in an object.
Can fault be a verb?
Yes. As a verb, fault means to blame someone.
What does it mean when someone says 'It was my fault'?
It means the speaker accepts responsibility for the bad result or mistake.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.