What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defective
Example
The company issued a recall for the defective airbags. [defective: adjective]
Example
The printer was returned due to a defective ink cartridge. [defective: adjective]
faulty
Example
The faulty wiring caused the power outage. [faulty: adjective]
Example
The mechanic replaced the faulty brake pads. [faulty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Faulty is more commonly used than defective in everyday language. Faulty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while defective is less common and is often used in the context of consumer products.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defective and faulty?
Both defective and faulty are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
