# faulty

/ˈfɔɫti/ (US) · /fˈɒlti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/faulty
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. broken or defective

adjective · CEFR B1

not working correctly because of a mistake or a physical problem.

For teachers: containing a defect or flaw that prevents proper functioning; often used for mechanical or electrical failures.

- The fire was caused by faulty wiring in the old kitchen.
- The technician determined that a faulty sensor was providing inaccurate data to the main control unit, causing the entire system to shut down.

Usage: commonly used with nouns like 'wiring', 'logic', or 'equipment'.

### 2. guilty or at fault

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

responsible for a mistake or doing something wrong.

For teachers: culpable or deserving of blame for a specific error or transgression.

- In the old story, the king was found faulty for the loss of the gold.
- The magistrate deemed the merchant faulty in his dealings, though such phrasing has long since vanished from legal proceedings.

Usage: rarely found in modern speech; almost exclusively seen in historical texts.

Teaching tip: Modern speakers use 'at fault' or 'guilty' instead; this sense is likely to confuse learners if encountered in literature.

## Examples

- I returned the faulty toaster to the shop.
- The investigation revealed that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring in the basement.
- The scientist's conclusions were dismissed because they were based on faulty data and a misunderstanding of the original hypothesis.

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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.