fault

noun (MISTAKE)

/fɒlt/

/fɑːlt/

Definition

B1 [U] a mistake, especially something for which you are to blame: It's not my fault she didn't come! She believes it was the doctor's fault that Peter died. The fault was/lay with the organizers, who failed to make the necessary arrangements for dealing with so many people. Through no fault of his own, he spent a week locked up in jail.Faults and mistakes B2 [C] a weakness in a person's character: He has many faults, but dishonesty isn't one of them.Faults and mistakes B2 [C] a broken part or weakness in a machine or system: The car has a serious design fault. I think it's got an electrical fault. For all its faults, our transport system is still better than that in many other countries.Faults and mistakes › [C] (in tennis and some other games) a mistake made by a player who is beginning a game by hitting the ballTennis and racket sportsFaults and mistakes be at fault B2 to have done something wrong: Her doctor was at fault for/in not sending her straight to a specialist.Making mistakes find fault with sb/sth C2 to criticize someone or something, especially without good reasons: He's always finding fault with my work.Disapproving and criticizingDamaging reputation

(Definition of fault noun (MISTAKE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)