fault
gb/fˈɔlt/ us/fˈɔlt/
B1
English
~ 2200
hiba, törésvonal, vetődés, meghibásodás
NOUN
B1
1
hiba
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is [someone]'s fault
It was my fault we missed the train.
Az én hibám volt, hogy lekéstük a vonatot.
The accident was not her fault.
A baleset nem az ő hibája volt.
Whose fault is it that the report is late?
He admitted the delay was his fault.
Learner examples
It is my fault we are late.
Az én hibám, hogy késünk.
The broken glass is her fault.
Az ő hibája, hogy eltört a pohár.
This problem is not my fault.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fault' with 'mistake'. 'Fault' refers to responsibility for a problem, while 'mistake' refers to the actual wrong action.
Meaning
blame for something wrong
Collocations
take the fault
|find fault
|at fault
Synonyms
blame (More general term for assigning responsibility; 'fault' is often used in fixed phrases.)
Antonyms
innocence (Indicates lack of responsibility for wrongdoing.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When something bad happens because of you.
Responsibility for causing a mistake, problem, or bad situation.
NOUN
B1
2
hiba
A2
Usage pattern:
a fault in [something]
The machine has a serious design fault.
A gépnek súlyos tervezési hibája van.
His biggest fault is that he talks too much.
A legnagyobb hibája az, hogy túl sokat beszél.
There was a fault in the software code.
Learner examples
There is a fault in the TV.
Hiba van a tévében.
Her only fault is that she is late.
Az egyetlen hibája az, hogy mindig elkésik.
This phone has a small fault.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'fault' with 'error'; 'fault' refers to a flaw in quality or character, while 'error' refers to a wrong action or calculation.
Meaning
flaw or defect in something
Collocations
design fault
|minor fault
|technical fault
Synonyms
flaw (Very close in meaning; 'flaw' can be more formal and often refers to critical defects.)
Antonyms
perfection (Indicates no flaws or weaknesses.)
Themes
daily life
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small bad part in someone or something.
A flaw, defect, or weakness in a person, object, or system.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
törésvonal
B2
vetődés
C2
The earthquake was caused by movement along a major fault.
A földrengést egy jelentős törésvonal mentén bekövetkezett elmozdulás okozta.
California lies on the San Andreas Fault.
Kalifornia a San Andreas-törésvonalon fekszik.
Geologists are studying the fault to predict future quakes.
Learner examples
The city is near a big fault.
A város egy nagy törésvonal közelében van.
A fault can cause earthquakes.
Egy törésvonal földrengéseket okozhat.
This is called the San Andreas Fault.
Meaning
crack in Earth's crust
Collocations
fault line
|active fault
|geological fault
Synonyms
fracture (In geology, a more general term; not all fractures are faults.)
Themes
science
|geography
|nature
Definition
A long crack in the ground where the earth moves.
A break or fracture in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
meghibásodás
B2
hiba
A2
The train was delayed due to a signal fault.
A vonat jelzőberendezési hiba miatt késett.
There is a fault in the computer's hard drive.
Hiba van a számítógép merevlemezében.
An electrical fault caused the lights to go out.
Learner examples
The car stopped because of a fault.
Az autó meghibásodás miatt állt le.
The lights went out from an electrical fault.
A lámpák elektromos hiba miatt aludtak ki.
The phone has a network fault.
Meaning
failure in a system or device
Collocations
power fault
|system fault
|network fault
Synonyms
malfunction ('Malfunction' emphasizes the action of failing; 'fault' can refer to the cause or location of failure.)
Themes
technology
|science
Definition
When a machine or system stops working correctly.
A failure or breakdown in an electrical, mechanical, or computer system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fault
IPA
GB/fˈɔlt/
US/fˈɔlt/
Syllables & stress
fault (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fault)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fault
- Plural: fault, faults
Word family
Forms
faults
noun
Core family
faulty
adjective B1
Negative and opposite forms
faultless
adjective
faultlessly
adverb
Advanced or less common
faultlessness
noun
Expressions
at fault
1/ˈæt fˈɔlt/
fixed phrase
responsible for a problem or accident
Being responsible for something bad that happened.
Examples
- The driver was clearly at fault in the accident.
- If anyone’s at fault here, it’s me.
to a fault
1/tə ə fˈɔlt/
fixed phrase
too much of a good quality
Having so much of a good quality that it becomes bad.
Examples
- He’s generous to a fault.
- She’s honest to a fault, which sometimes upsets people.
find fault (with)
1/fˈaɪnd fˈɔlt wˈɪθ/
idiom
criticize someone or something
To look for and talk about mistakes in someone or something.
Examples
- She always finds fault with my cooking.
- They found fault with the plan immediately.
find fault (with)
2/fˈaɪnd fˈɔlt wˈɪθ/
idiom
criticize for mistakes or flaws
To say what you think is wrong with someone or something.
Examples
- She’s always finding fault with my cooking.
- Instead of finding fault, try to help solve the problem.