1
a
: a defect in physical structure or form
a diamond with a flaw
b
: an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness
vanity was the flaw in his character
a flaw in the book's plot
2
obsolete
: fragment
flawed; flawing; flaws
: to become defective
1
: a sudden brief burst of wind
the wind changed with flaws from westward—
Archibald MacLeish
Archibald MacLeish
also
: a spell of stormy weather
2
obsolete
: an outburst especially of passion
Examples of flaw in a Sentence
Noun (1)
noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it
Verb
that crack has flawed the vase to the extent that its value in the antiques market is greatly reduced
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 27 May 2025
That was until a Bronx judge refused to vacate an armed robbery conviction that even prosecutors now admit was fatally flawed.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Ownership is a broad term and covers pretty much every character trait or flaw.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
While noting that the data was likely flawed, Brownmiller cited FBI statistics that claimed rapes were committed by Black men at rates that were much higher than their percentage of the population.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 27 May 2025
That was until a Bronx judge refused to vacate an armed robbery conviction that even prosecutors now admit was fatally flawed.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
Noun
The playoff made a major change from four to 12 teams last season, which brought with it some flaws.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Ownership is a broad term and covers pretty much every character trait or flaw.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaw. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flaw
1 of 2 noun
: a small often hidden defect
flawless
adjective
-ləs
flawlessly
adverb
flawlessness
noun
flaw
2 of 2 verb
: to make or become defective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share