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fault

n. · v.
US //ˈfɔɫt// UK //fˈɒlt// fault
  1. 1 responsibility for a mistake (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    responsibility for something bad that has happened.

    culpability or responsibility for a blameworthy event or failure.

    Example

    It was my fault that we missed the train because I forgot my keys.

    Example

    The investigators determined that the accident was the fault of the driver, who had ignored several warning signs before the collision.
  2. 2 a defect or weakness (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a mistake in how something is made or a weakness in someone's character.

    a defect, imperfection, or weakness in a person's character or a physical object.

    Example

    The technician found a major fault in the car's electrical system.

    Example

    While he was a brilliant strategist, his greatest fault was his inability to listen to the concerns of his subordinates.
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  1. 3 geological crack (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a large crack in the earth's surface where earthquakes often happen.

    a fracture in the earth's crust along which significant displacement has occurred.

    Example

    The city was built near a major fault line, making it prone to earthquakes.

    Example

    Geologists monitored the fault for months, noting a gradual increase in seismic activity that suggested a major shift was imminent.
  2. 4 sports/tennis error (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    a mistake in a game, like hitting the ball out of bounds in tennis.

    an illegal serve or a similar technical error in sports such as tennis or volleyball.

    Example

    He served a double fault and lost the game.

    Example

    The umpire called a foot fault, much to the frustration of the player who thought his positioning was perfect.
  3. 5 to find a mistake in (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to find a reason to criticize someone or something.

    to find a flaw or reason for criticism in a person, action, or object.

    Example

    You cannot fault her hard work, even if the results were not perfect.

    Example

    Although the final product was delayed, the board could not fault the design team's attention to detail or their commitment to safety.

    Usage

    Often used in the negative, such as 'cannot fault'.
Origin

From Middle English faute, faulte, from Anglo-Norman faute, Old French faute, from Vulgar Latin fallita (“shortcoming”), feminine of fallitus, in place of Latin falsus, perfect passive participle of fallō (“deceive”). Displaced native Middle English schuld, schuild (“fault”) (from Old English scyld (“fault”)), Middle English lac (“fault, lack”) (from Middle Dutch lak (“lack, fault”)), Middle English last (“fault, vice”) (from Old Norse lǫstr (“fault, vice, crime”)). Compare French faute (“fault, foul”), Portuguese falta (“lack, shortage”) and Spanish falta (“lack, absence”). More at fail, false.

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