adjective
Uncommon
defective
dih-FEHK-tihv
Defective (adjective) means having a fault or flaw; not working properly. Example: “The store replaced the defective toaster free of charge.”
adjective
1
Having a fault or flaw; not working properly.
"The store replaced the defective toaster free of charge."
"A defective valve caused the leak."
How to use defective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBroken, flawed, or not functioning as it should.
Common pairings
defective product
defective goods
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Word forms
- Plural
- defectives
- Comparative
- more defective
- Superlative
- most defective
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The store replaced the _____ toaster free of charge.
Etymology
From Old French defectif, from Late Latin dēfectīvus, sharing its root with "defect."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for defective
See all rhymes for 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.
