not flawless

USAGE SUMMARY

"not flawless" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is not perfect or without flaws. Example: "Despite her efforts, her presentation was still not flawless and had a few minor mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is not flawless.

The Economist

UConn is not flawless.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're not flawless.

The Guardian - Sport

The vote was not flawless.

The Economist

The escape was not flawless.

The New York Times

I know it's not flawless.

The Guardian - Music

But it was not flawless.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is not flawless.

The Economist

The program is not flawless.

The New York Times

The performance was not flawless.

The New York Times - Arts

Not flawless but always affecting.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not flawless" when you want to praise the overall quality of something while maintaining a balanced and credible perspective. It is particularly effective in reviews or academic critiques.

Common error

Do not use redundant adjectives like "slightly not flawless" or "imperfectly not flawless". Since "flawless" is an absolute state, its negation already implies a degree of imperfection without needing further qualification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not flawless" acts as a negated adjective phrase, typically functioning as a predicative adjective following a linking verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard and highly effective way to qualify an otherwise positive attribute. In the Examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves to transition from praise to a specific critique.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "not flawless" is a versatile and sophisticated tool for any writer looking to provide balanced feedback. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is widely utilized across high-authority platforms like The New York Times and The Guardian to describe everything from artistic performances to complex scientific models. The phrase is grammatically correct and serves a crucial rhetorical function by tempering high praise with necessary realism. Whether you are reviewing a blockbuster film or analyzing a new technology, using "not flawless" ensures your critique remains objective, professional and fair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not perfect

The most common and direct synonym for the query.

imperfect

A single-word alternative that carries the same core meaning but feels slightly more clinical.

not entirely faultless

Adds a layer of caution, suggesting that while mostly good, some errors exist.

not without faults

A double negative construction that emphasizes the existence of defects.

with minor flaws

Specifies that the imperfections are not deal-breakers.

marred by errors

Focuses more specifically on the presence of mistakes rather than a general lack of perfection.

far from perfect

A much stronger idiomatic expression suggesting significant issues.

fallible

Used primarily when referring to human judgment or systems rather than objects.

has room for improvement

A common business euphemism used to soften a critique.

suboptimal

A technical or academic term used when something does not meet the highest standard.

FAQs

How to use "not flawless" in a sentence?

You can use it as a predicative adjective to describe a performance or system, for example: "The engine design is efficient, but it is "not flawless"."

What can I say instead of "not flawless"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "imperfect", "not perfect" or "not without faults".

Is "not flawless" the same as being "bad"?

No, "not flawless" usually implies that something is generally good but has specific, often minor, shortcomings, whereas "bad" suggests a total lack of quality.

What is the difference between "not flawless" and "flawed"?

While both mean something is not perfect, "flawed" often suggests more fundamental or significant issues, whereas "not flawless" is frequently used as a polite way to introduce minor criticism.