# fault

/ˈfɔɫt/ (US) · /fˈɒlt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fault
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. responsibility for a mistake

noun · CEFR B1

responsibility for something bad that has happened.

For teachers: culpability or responsibility for a blameworthy event or failure.

- It was my fault that we missed the train because I forgot my keys.
- The investigators determined that the accident was the fault of the driver, who had ignored several warning signs before the collision.

### 2. a defect or weakness

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The technician found a major fault in the car's electrical system.
- While he was a brilliant strategist, his greatest fault was his inability to listen to the concerns of his subordinates.

### 3. geological crack

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The city was built near a major fault line, making it prone to earthquakes.
- Geologists monitored the fault for months, noting a gradual increase in seismic activity that suggested a major shift was imminent.

### 4. sports/tennis error

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- He served a double fault and lost the game.
- The umpire called a foot fault, much to the frustration of the player who thought his positioning was perfect.

### 5. to find a mistake in

verb · CEFR B2

to find a reason to criticize someone or something.

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

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

## Examples

- The accident was my fault because I didn't see the sign.
- The engineer identified a technical fault in the wiring that caused the entire system to shut down unexpectedly.
- While the structural fault in the bridge was minor, the public's loss of confidence in the construction firm proved to be a much more difficult problem to repair.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.