defective

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "defective" is correct and usable in written English.
"Defective" is an adjective that means not working properly or having a fault or defect. You can use it when referring to something that is not functioning properly or when expressing the idea that something is flawed. Example: The store had to recall the defective toys from their shelves.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the fact that human clones are a long way off does not absolve scientists from the duty of pondering the moral issues in advance.Don't monkey with clonesSimilar moral issues are raised by gene therapy, in which people with genetic defects might have defective genes replaced, using genetic-engineering techniques.

The Economist

The American psychological association state rather succinctly that "... the evidence to date suggests that home environments provided by lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth".. Sadly, the insinuation that same-sex parents are defective continues unabated.

The Guardian

The findings, reported in the journal Stem Cell Reports, indicated that defective GRN altered the Wnt signalling pathway, which plays an important role in neuronal development.

The Guardian

Since the errors were caught in time, the newspaper reports that "there's no indication that Apple shipped any watches with the defective part to customers" and thus no recalls are planned.

The Guardian - Tech

The causes can vary, from a defective gene to a head injury, but one common mechanism of the condition is chronic inflammation throughout the whole body.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A baby with a defective heart-pacer had to wait months to be moved to Perth for specialist care.

The Guardian - Opinion

Defective stem cells grown in the lab revealed a signalling pathway linked to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which accounts for about half of dementia cases before the age of 60.

The Guardian

On the way, she had encountered dud radios, severe icing-up, defective brakes and a malfunctioning engine.

The Guardian

Parker said: "The fact that the Met police twice found no case to answer and that both investigations were later criticised as inadequate and defective should worry the Met and the wider public.

The Guardian

The Apple Watch is facing major supply constraints after a key component delivered by one of two suppliers was found to be inherently defective.

The Guardian - Tech

The possibilities are endless and, I think, fascinating: each trade has two sides, and each side has a view, even if that view is sometimes more of a vacant stare.To most people, it is immoral if not illegal to sell things that you believe to be defective.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the nature of the defect, be specific to provide clarity. For example, instead of just stating a product is "defective", specify that it has a "defective screen" or "defective wiring".

Common error

While "defective" is widely understood, overuse in formal reports or academic papers can make your writing seem less sophisticated. Consider stronger synonyms like "malfunctioning", "impaired", or "flawed" to provide variety and precision.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "defective" primarily functions to attribute a quality of imperfection or malfunction to a noun. It indicates that something has a flaw or does not meet the required standards. Ludwig confirms this by providing numerous examples from diverse sources, such as "defective genes" or "defective products".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "defective" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe something that has a flaw or is not working correctly. As Ludwig confirms, it is frequently used in various contexts, including news, business, and science. Its primary function is to attribute a quality of imperfection. When using "defective", specificity is key for effective communication. While broadly understood, consider synonyms like "faulty" or "malfunctioning" in more formal contexts for added precision. Overall, "defective" is a reliable and versatile adjective in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Faulty

Emphasizes a flaw that impairs function.

Malfunctioning

Specifically refers to something not operating correctly.

Impaired

Suggests a reduced or weakened capacity.

Flawed

Highlights imperfections or shortcomings.

Substandard

Indicates a quality below the required level.

Out of order

Specifically means not currently working.

Not working

A general term for being non-operational.

Broken

Implies a state of being damaged and unusable.

Unserviceable

Indicates something is unfit for use or repair.

Non-functional

A formal way of saying something does not perform its intended function.

FAQs

How can I use "defective" in a sentence?

You can use "defective" to describe items or systems that have faults or don't work correctly. For example, "The car was recalled due to a defective airbag" or "The analysis was defective because of the wrong data".

What words can I use instead of "defective"?

Alternatives include "faulty", "flawed", "malfunctioning", or "impaired", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "defectuous" instead of "defective"?

"Defectuous" is not a standard English word. The correct term to use is "defective", which means having a defect or flaw.

What is the difference between "defective" and "deficient"?

"Defective" implies something is not working correctly due to a flaw, while "deficient" means lacking something essential. A "defective" product has something wrong with it, while a "deficient" diet lacks necessary nutrients.