defective
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for defective, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Having a fault or flaw; not working properly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use defective
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
defective product
defective goods
Etymology
From Old French defectif, from Late Latin dēfectīvus, sharing its root with "defect."
Full origin of defective →Frequently asked questions
What does “defective” mean?
The word “defective” means having a fault or flaw; not working properly. In plain terms, broken, flawed, or not functioning as it should.
How do you pronounce “defective”?
“Defective” is pronounced dih-FEHK-tihv (/dɪˈfɛktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “defective” in a sentence?
Here is “defective” used in a sentence: “The store replaced the defective toaster free of charge.”
What part of speech is “defective”?
“Defective” is an adjective.
Where does the word “defective” come from?
The word “defective” comes from Late Latin. From Old French defectif, from Late Latin dēfectīvus, sharing its root with "defect.".
Is “defective” a common word?
“Defective” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "defective" and "faulty"?
"Defective" and "faulty" both describe something with a flaw that keeps it from working properly, and the two words are largely interchangeable. "Defective" is more common in formal or legal contexts, such as product recalls, while "faulty" is used more broadly in everyday speech.
Is "defective" used for people as well as products?
"Defective" most commonly describes products, equipment, or systems that have a fault or flaw and are not working properly. While it can occasionally be applied more broadly, its typical and clearest use is for objects or mechanisms rather than people.
What nouns commonly follow "defective", as in "defective product"?
"Defective" commonly pairs with nouns like "product," "part," "equipment," "merchandise," and "unit" to describe items that have a fault and are not working properly. These collocations are especially common in consumer and manufacturing contexts, such as product recalls.
