1fault 
/ˈfɑ:lt/ noun
plural faults /ˈfɑ:lt/ noun 1 [count] a : a bad quality or part of someone's character : a weakness in character
▪ He loved her despite her many faults. [=failings] ▪ Lack of courage is his worst fault. ▪ In spite of her faults, she's a loyal friend. = For all her faults, she's a loyal friend.
b : a problem or bad part that prevents something from being perfect : a flaw or defect
▪ We discussed the book's strengths and faults. [=weaknesses] ▪ If the book has a fault, it's that it's too long. 2 [noncount] : responsibility for a problem, mistake, bad situation, etc.
▪ The accident was not her fault. [=she did not cause the accident; she should not be blamed for the accident] ▪ It's all my fault. [=I am responsible] ▪ It's your own fault you missed that bus. ▪ Through no fault of his own, he won't be able to attend the meeting. 3 [count] tennis : a mistake that results in a bad serve
▪ She committed too many faults to win the match. — see also double fault 4 [count] geology : a break in the Earth's crust
▪ Frequent earthquakes have occurred along the San Andreas Fault.
▪ He loved her despite her many faults. [=failings] ▪ Lack of courage is his worst fault. ▪ In spite of her faults, she's a loyal friend. = For all her faults, she's a loyal friend.
b : a problem or bad part that prevents something from being perfect : a flaw or defect
▪ We discussed the book's strengths and faults. [=weaknesses] ▪ If the book has a fault, it's that it's too long.
▪ The accident was not her fault. [=she did not cause the accident; she should not be blamed for the accident] ▪ It's all my fault. [=I am responsible] ▪ It's your own fault you missed that bus. ▪ Through no fault of his own, he won't be able to attend the meeting.
▪ She committed too many faults to win the match. — see also double fault
▪ Frequent earthquakes have occurred along the San Andreas Fault.
at fault
: deserving blame for something bad : responsible
▪ She's not at fault for the accident. ▪ It will be difficult to determine who's really at fault.
▪ She's not at fault for the accident. ▪ It will be difficult to determine who's really at fault.
find fault — see 1find
to a fault
: to a great or excessive degree
▪ generous to a fault [=very generous or too generous] ▪ honest to a fault
▪ generous to a fault [=very generous or too generous] ▪ honest to a fault
— fault·less /ˈfɑ:ltləs/ adjective
▪ a faultless [=perfect, flawless] performance
/ˈfɑ:ltləs/ adjective ▪ a faultless [=perfect, flawless] performance
— fault·less·ly adverb
▪ She performed faultlessly.
▪ She performed faultlessly.
— fault·less·ness noun [noncount]
