defect
gb/dˈifɛkt/ us/dˈifɛkt/
B1
English
~ 3600
hiba, átáll, disszidál, átpártol
NOUN
B1
1
hiba
A1
Usage pattern:
a defect in [something]
The car was recalled due to a serious brake defect.
Az autót egy súlyos fékhiba miatt visszahívták.
This phone has a small defect in the screen.
Ennek a telefonnak van egy apró hibája a kijelzőjén.
A design defect caused the bridge to collapse.
The inspector found several defects in the building's wiring.
Genetic defects can sometimes be treated with medication.
Learner examples
The shirt has a small defect.
Az ingen van egy apró hiba.
There is a defect in the machine.
Hiba van a gépben.
This phone has a defect in the camera.
We returned the chair because of a defect.
The toy has no defects.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'defect' with 'defense' due to similar spelling, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
a flaw or fault in something
Collocations
design defect
|manufacturing defect
|minor defect
|serious defect
|defect in the system
Synonyms
flaw (A general term for an imperfection; slightly more common in everyday speech.)
|
fault (Often used for responsibility or mechanical problems; can also imply blame.)
Antonyms
perfection (The state of having no flaws or defects.)
|
strength (A quality that makes something effective or strong, opposite of a weakness or defect.)
Themes
quality
|manufacturing
|daily life
|daily_life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A problem or fault in something that makes it not perfect or not work well.
A shortcoming, flaw, or imperfection in something that makes it less effective, less attractive, or not working correctly.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to defect to [another group/country]
Several soldiers defected to the rebel forces.
Több katona átállt a lázadókhoz.
He defected from his political party after a disagreement.
Egy nézeteltérés után elhagyta a saját pártját, és átpártolt egy másikhoz.
The spy defected to another country during the war.
Some athletes have defected to play for other nations.
She defected from the company to work for its rival.
Learner examples
The soldier defected to the enemy.
A katona átállt az ellenséghez.
He defected to another country.
Egy másik országba disszidált.
She defected from her team.
The player defected to another club.
They defected during the war.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'defect' (verb) with 'defend' due to similar pronunciation, but they are unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
to abandon allegiance for another side
Collocations
defect to the enemy
|defect from the army
|defect to another party
Synonyms
desert (Often used for leaving the military without permission; slightly more negative tone.)
|
switch sides (Informal phrase for changing allegiance.)
Antonyms
remain loyal (To stay with and support your original group despite pressure to leave.)
|
support (To actively help your original side instead of leaving it.)
Themes
politics
|military
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To leave your country, team, or group to join another that is against it.
To abandon loyalty to a person, group, or country and join an opposing one.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defect
IPA
GB/dˈifɛkt/
US/dˈifɛkt/
Syllables & stress
de - fect (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (de)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defect
- Plural: defects
Verb
- Base: defect
- 3rd Person Singular: defects
- Present Participle: defecting
- Past: defected
Word family
Expressions
defect from duty
1/dˈifɛkt fɹˈʌm dˈuti/
fixed phrase
fail to fulfill one's responsibilities
To leave or avoid work or tasks you are supposed to do.
Examples
- The guard was punished for defecting from duty.
- They accused him of defecting from duty during the crisis.
defect to the enemy
1/dɪfˈɛkt tə ðə ˈɛnəmi/
fixed phrase
switch allegiance to an enemy side
To leave your own side and join the enemy's side during a war or competition.
Examples
- The general was shocked when his aide defected to the enemy.
- Several spies defected to the enemy during the conflict.