Meaning
defect, flaw, fault
- defect, fault, blemish, flaw
- deficiency, lack, shortage
In a sentence
Questo telefono ha un piccolo difetto nello schermo.
This phone has a small defect in the screen.
Tutti hanno pregi e difetti.
Everyone has strengths and flaws.
La macchina non ha difetti, l'ho controllata ieri.
The car has no flaws; I checked it yesterday.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| difetto | masculine · singular |
| difetti | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use difetto for flaws in objects, products, or a person's shortcomings. For a temporary problem or malfunction, guasto is often better.
- In beauty and everyday talk, difetto can mean an imperfection: nascondere i difetti. For moral wrongdoing, use vizio or colpa instead.
- With shortage/lack, difetto is more formal or fixed: per difetto, in difetto. In everyday speech, mancanza or carenza is usually more natural.