defective
adj.adj. having a mistake or a broken part that stops something from working correctly. You use this to describe products or objects that are not perfect.
adj. imperfect or faulty; failing to meet a standard of construction or function. Often used in legal or commercial contexts to describe goods that do not perform as intended.
The store replaced my defective phone with a new one.
The manufacturer issued a massive recall after discovering a defective batch of batteries that could overheat.
While the exterior of the building appeared sound, a structural engineer discovered defective support beams that compromised the safety of the entire upper floor.
From Middle English defectif, defective, from Old French defectif, from Late Latin dēfectīvus.
Often follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'become', or sits directly before a noun.
The machine is defectThe machine is defectiveLearners often use the noun 'defect' when they need the adjective 'defective' to describe a state.