faulty meaning and examples

2025-09-04

Meaning

Faulty is an adjective that means having faults, flaws, or defects; not working correctly or not reliable. It often describes machines, systems, reasoning, or processes that do not function properly.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Adjective
  • Used before a noun or after a linking verb (be, seem, appear, etc.).
  • Common structure: faulty + noun (e.g., faulty equipment).

Examples of usage:

  • "The machine is faulty."
  • "They had to recall the faulty devices."

Common Phrases

  • faulty wiring – electrical wires that are not working properly
  • faulty equipment – broken or unreliable tools or machines
  • faulty reasoning – incorrect or weak logic
  • faulty memory – unreliable recollection

Collocations

  • faulty product
  • faulty design
  • faulty judgment
  • faulty brakes
  • faulty installation

Examples

  1. The company recalled the faulty smartphones after customers reported overheating issues.
  2. The accident was caused by faulty brakes on the car.
  3. His argument was based on faulty reasoning.
  4. We had to replace the faulty wiring in the house to prevent a fire.
  5. The patient died because of a faulty medical device.
  6. My laptop has a faulty battery that doesn’t hold a charge.
  7. Faulty equipment can put workers’ safety at risk.
  8. She admitted that her faulty memory might have confused the events.
  • defective
  • broken
  • flawed
  • unreliable
  • malfunctioning
  • unsound