flaw

UK: /ˈflɔː/ US: /flɔ/ ,(flô)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

flaw¹ /flɔ/   n. [countable]

1. a feature that causes an imperfection in something;
   defect;
   blemish:
   a flaw in the diamond.
2. an undesirable quality in character or personality:
   a serious character flaw.

flawed, adj. 
flaw•less, adj. 
flaw•less•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

flaw¹  (flô), n. 

1. a feature that mars the perfection of something;
   defect;
   fault:
   beauty without flaw; the flaws in our plan.
2. a defect impairing legal soundness or validity.
3. a crack, break, breach, or rent.

v.t. 

4. to produce a flaw in.

v.i. 

5. to contract a flaw;
   become cracked or defective.

• Old Norse flaga sliver, flake
• Middle English flaw(e), flage, perh. 1275–1325

flaw′less, adj. 
flaw′less•ly, adv. 
flaw′less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. imperfection, blot, spot. See defect. 
• 3. fissure, rift.

flaw²  (flô), n. 

1. Meteorology Also called windflaw. a sudden, usually brief windstorm or gust of wind.
2. Meteorology a short spell of rough weather.
3. [Obs.] a burst of feeling, fury, etc.

• Old Norse flaga attack, squall
• 1475–85

flaw′y, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

flaw / flɔː/ noun

1. an imperfection, defect, or blemish
2. a crack, breach, or rift
3. an invalidating fault or defect in a document or proceeding

verb

1. to make or become blemished, defective, or imperfect

Etymology: 14th Century: probably from Old Norse flaga stone slab; related to Swedish flaga chip, flake, flaw

ˈflawless adjective

flaw / flɔː/ noun

1. a sudden short gust of wind; squall

Etymology: 16th Century: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian flaga squall, gust, Middle Dutch vlāghe