fault

Responsibility for something bad that happened because of what someone did or failed to do.

• It was my fault.
• Who was at fault for the accident?
• She admitted that losing the keys was entirely her fault.

How to use it: be someone’s fault (The delay was my fault.); be at fault (The driver was at fault.)

Similar words: blame, responsibility

Common phrases: my fault, at fault, fault of someone, someone’s fault

Something wrong with a machine, plan, or other thing that stops it from working well.

• The car has an electrical fault.
• We found several faults in the plan.
• A technician repaired the fault in the heating system.

How to use it: fault in something (We found a fault in the wiring.)

Similar words: defect, flaw, problem

Common phrases: technical fault, find a fault, fault in something

A weakness in someone’s character or behavior.

• Impatience is his main fault.
• She knows my faults and still likes me.
• We all have faults, so try to be understanding.

Similar words: weakness, flaw, failing

Opposites: virtue

Common phrases: human fault, character fault, someone’s main fault

A large crack in Earth’s rocks where parts of the ground have moved past each other.

• The town lies near a fault.
• Movement along the fault caused an earthquake.
• Scientists mapped several faults beneath the valley.

Common phrases: active fault, geological fault, fault line

An action against the rules in tennis or volleyball, such as a serve that lands outside the correct area.

• The umpire called a fault.
• Two faults in a row cost her the point.
• His serve landed outside the line and was a fault.

Common phrases: double fault, foot fault, serve a fault

To criticize someone or something for a mistake or weakness.

• I cannot fault your effort.
• Critics faulted the report for ignoring local people.
• Can you really fault him for wanting a better job?

How to use it: fault someone for something/doing something (I cannot fault her for asking questions.)

Similar words: criticize, blame

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: fault someone, fault someone’s effort, fault someone for