What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defect
Example
The car had a defect in the engine that caused it to stall frequently. [defect: noun]
Example
She defected from the company after discovering their unethical practices. [defected: past tense verb]
flaw
Example
The diamond had a small flaw that was barely noticeable. [flaw: noun]
Example
His argument had a major flaw that undermined his entire thesis. [flaw: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flaw is more commonly used than defect in everyday language. Flaw is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while defect is more technical and specific to certain industries or fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defect and flaw?
Defect is more formal and technical than flaw, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
