noun

fault

responsibility, flaw, geological fracture

It's not my fault we are late.

It's not my fault we are late.

The car has a serious design fault.

The car has a serious design fault.

The earthquake occurred along a fault.

The earthquake occurred along a fault.

((sb.'s)) fault sb.'s responsibility It's not my fault we are late.

a fault ((in sth.)) a flaw in sth. The car has a serious design fault.

Synonyms: flaw, defect, blame, responsibility; Antonyms: merit, virtue, strength

From Old French 'faute' (a lack, a failing), from Latin 'fallere' (to deceive, to fail).

Think of a 'fault' in tennis, which is a mistake. Or a geological fault, a crack in the earth. Both are types of 'failings'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.