# defect

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdiːfɛkt/ · frequency rank #11,531

## Definitions
1. A fault or malfunction.
2. The quantity or amount by which anything falls short.
3. A part by which a figure or quantity is wanting or deficient.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin defectus (“a failure, lack”), from deficere (“to fail, lack, literally 'undo'”), from past participle defectus, from de- (“of, from”) + facere (“to do”).

## Easily confused with
- **deft** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-deft)
- **defer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-defer)
- **direct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-direct)
- **defend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-defend)
- **desert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-desert)
- **detect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-detect)
- **depict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-depict)
- **detest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-detest)
- **defence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-defence)
- **deficit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-deficit)
- **defunct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-defunct)
- **deflect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-deflect)
- **defector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-defector)
- **defeat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defeat-vs-defect)
- **decent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decent-vs-defect)
- **deceit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deceit-vs-defect)
- **deduct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deduct-vs-defect)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ddefect`, `deefct`, `defcet`, `defecct`, `defectt`, `defetc`, `deffect`, `dfeect`, `edfect`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/defect