Defect — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdē-ˌfekt/ (noun) /di-ˈfekt/ (verb) de·fect

Meaning & Definition of Defect

Defect (noun)

  1. an imperfection or abnormality that impairs quality, function, or utility, shortcoming, flaw
  2. an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice

Defect (verb)

  1. to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology
  2. to leave one situation (such as a job) often to go over to a rival

Defect (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing

    "the statue has a slight defect on the base, so it's being sold at a discount"

    similar: blemish, blight, blotch, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, excrescency, fault, flaw, imperfection, mar, mark, pockmark, scar
    related: abnormality, distortion, irregularity, malformation, misshape, bug, glitch, kink, blot, blur, spot, stain, taint, damage, defacement, impairment, injury, failing, weakness
    near: adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, ornament

Defect (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in emigrate

    similar: emigrate, journey, peregrinate, pilgrimage, tour, travel, trek, trip, voyage, road-trip, transfer, gallivant, hop, jaunt, knock (about), perambulate, ramble, roam, rove, traipse, wander, migrate, relocate, resettle

Related Entry: Defect (from) (verb)

Defect (from) is a different word from Defect. The synonyms below are for defect (from), not for defect.

  1. to leave (a cause or party) often in order to take up another

    "soldiers defected from the rebel army en masse as the failure of their cause became apparent"

    similar: desert, rat (on), go back on, jump ship, run out on, walk out on
    related: abandon, abdicate, abjure, apostatize, cut off, disown, forsake, quit, reject, renounce, repudiate, spurn, renege, depart, go, leave, withdraw
    near: adhere (to), cling (to), stick (to or with), cherish, cultivate, foster

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Defect

The most common words with a similar meaning to Defect:

blemish, blight, blotch, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, excrescency, fault, flaw, imperfection, mar, mark, pockmark, scar, emigrate, journey, peregrinate, pilgrimage, tour, travel, trek, trip, voyage, road-trip, transfer, gallivant, hop, jaunt, knock (about), perambulate, ramble, roam, rove, traipse, wander, migrate, relocate, resettle

Related Words for Defect

abnormality, distortion, irregularity, malformation, misshape, bug, glitch, kink, blot, blur, spot, stain, taint, damage, defacement, impairment, injury, failing, weakness

Near Antonyms of Defect

adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, ornament

Word Forms of Defect

Inflections: defected, defecting, defects

Derived words: defector (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Defect

Middle English, borrowed from Latin dēfectus "failure, absence, lack, weakness," from dēficere "to be lacking, run short, weaken, fail" + -tus, suffix of action nouns deficient

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Defect

Words & Phrases Containing Defect

birth defect

Frequently Asked Questions about Defect

What does "Defect" mean?

"Defect" means an imperfection or abnormality that impairs quality, function, or utility, shortcoming, flaw. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an imperfection or abnormality that impairs quality, function, or utility, shortcoming, flaw. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Defect"?

Other words for "Defect" include blemish, blight, blotch, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, excrescency and fault. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Defect" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Defect"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Defect". Common alternatives include blemish, blight, blotch, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, excrescency, fault, flaw and imperfection.

How do you use "Defect" in a sentence?

Examples of "Defect" in a sentence: "the statue has a slight defect on the base, so it's being sold at a discount".

Is "Defect" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Defect" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Defect" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Defect" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Defect"?

"Defect" is pronounced /ˈdē-ˌfekt/ as a noun and /di-ˈfekt/ as a verb and divided into syllables as de·fect.

What is the origin of the word "Defect"?

"Defect" comes from Middle English, borrowed from Latin dēfectus "failure, absence, lack, weakness," from dēficere "to be lacking, run short, weaken, fail" + -tus, suffix of action nouns deficient. First known use: 15th century.