Defect vs. Defective — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 27, 2024
Defect refers to a shortcoming or imperfection in an item or person, while defective describes something flawed or malfunctioning, indicating its condition or quality.
Difference Between Defect and Defective
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A defect is a noun that denotes a flaw, fault, or imperfection in a product, process, design, or individual's characteristics. It can be physical, such as a crack in a vase, or non-physical, like a defect in reasoning. Defective, on the other hand, is an adjective used to describe items, systems, or components that fail to meet quality standards or do not operate as intended. It implies that the item is not functioning correctly or is unsuitable for its intended purpose.
Defects can occur in virtually any context, including manufacturing, software development, and genetics. They represent specific instances of failure to meet a standard or expectation. Defective items are the result of such defects and are often subject to return, repair, or recall, depending on the severity of the flaw and the policies of the manufacturer or seller.
While defects point out the particular shortcomings or errors within a system, product, or genetic makeup, describing something as defective focuses on its overall unsuitability for use. For example, a smartphone might have a defect in its screen, such as a dead pixel, while a smartphone that overheats and shuts down frequently would be considered defective.
The identification and correction of defects are crucial in quality control and assurance processes, aiming to minimize the occurrence of defective products reaching the consumer. Companies often use feedback regarding defects to improve product design, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures, reducing the rate of defective items produced.
Despite their differences, both terms are closely related: defects are the specific issues or imperfections, and when there are significant defects, an item is considered defective. Understanding the distinction between them is essential for quality control, customer service, and product development strategies.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
Definition
A flaw, fault, or imperfection in a product or system.
Describes something as flawed or malfunctioning.
Usage Context
Identifying specific shortcomings or errors.
Describing the overall condition or quality.
Examples
A defect in the engine design.
A defective smartphone that overheats.
Correction
Specific defects are often corrected or repaired.
Defective items may be replaced or recalled.
Compare with Definitions
Defect
An imperfection or fault in an item.
The mirror had a small defect on its surface.
Defective
Describes an item that does not meet quality standards.
The appliance was found to be defective and was returned.
Defect
Found in various contexts including products and genetics.
A genetic defect caused the condition.
Defective
Applies to items unsuitable for their intended use.
The software was defective and caused data loss.
Defect
Can be physical or non-physical.
There was a defect in the contract's terms.
Defective
Indicates a malfunctioning condition.
They sold the car as it was defective.
Defect
Specific instances of failure.
The car recall was due to a defect in the braking system.
Defective
Reflects the overall unsuitability of a product.
Due to being defective, the machine was replaced under warranty.
Defect
Leads to the identification of defective items.
The defect in the toy's design made it unsafe.
Defective
Often leads to actions such as returns or recalls.
The defective batteries were recalled for safety reasons.
Defect
An imperfection or lack that causes inadequacy or failure; a shortcoming or deficiency.
Defective
Having or showing a defect; faulty
A defective appliance.
Defect
To disown allegiance to one's country and take up residence in another
A Soviet citizen who defected to Israel.
Defective
(Grammar) Lacking one or more of the inflected forms normal for a particular category of word, as the verb may in English.
Defect
To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group
Defected from the party over the issue of free trade.
Defective
One who has a physical or mental disability.
Defect
A fault or malfunction.
A defect in the ear or eye; a defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment
Defective
Having one or more defects.
Defect
The quantity or amount by which anything falls short.
Defective
Lacking some forms; e.g., having only one tense or being usable only in the third person.
Defect
(math) A part by which a figure or quantity is wanting or deficient.
Defective
Having a root whose final consonant is weak (ي, و, or ء).
Defect
(intransitive) To abandon or turn against; to cease or change one's loyalty, especially from a military organisation or political party.
Defective
Not capable of representing all the phonemic distinctions of a language it is used to write.
Defect
(military) To desert one's army, to flee from combat.
Defective
(chiefly of abjad script) Spelled without matres lectionis, for example t=courage as opposed to the plene spelling אומץ where the letter vav ⟨ו⟩ indicates the vowel o.
Defect
(military) To join the enemy army.
Defective
(chiefly of abjad script) Without matres lectionis (letters indicating vowels) written out.
Defect
(law) To flee one's country and seek asylum.
Defective
A person or thing considered to be defective.
Defect
Want or absence of something necessary for completeness or perfection; deficiency; - opposed to superfluity.
Errors have been corrected, and defects supplied.
Defective
(chiefly of abjad script) A word written without matres lectionis (letters indicating vowels).
Defect
Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical or moral; blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment.
Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know,Make use of every friend - and every foe.
Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal defects.
Defective
Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; - applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.
Defect
To fail; to become deficient.
Defective
Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb.
Defect
To abandon one country or faction, and join another.
Defective
Anything that is defective or lacking in some respect.
Defect
To injure; to damage.
Defective
One who is lacking physically or mentally.
Defect
An imperfection in a bodily system;
Visual defects
This device permits detection of defects in the lungs
Defective
Having a defect;
I returned the appliance because it was defective
Defect
A failing or deficiency;
That interpretation is an unfortunate defect of our lack of information
Defective
Markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior;
Defective speech
Defect
An imperfection in a device or machine;
If there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer
Defective
Not working properly;
A bad telephone connection
A defective appliance
Defect
A mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body);
A facial blemish
Defect
Desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army;
If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot
Common Curiosities
Can a defect be corrected?
Yes, many defects can be corrected through repair, replacement of faulty parts, or adjustment of the manufacturing process.
What does defect mean in quality control?
In quality control, a defect refers to any deviation from the specified standards of a product, indicating an imperfection that may affect its functionality.
Is a defect always visible?
No, defects can be both visible, like a crack or blemish, and invisible, such as a defect in software code or an internal component failure.
How is something determined to be defective?
Something is determined to be defective if it fails to perform its intended function or meet the quality standards set by the manufacturer or industry, often after inspection or customer feedback.
What happens to defective products?
Defective products are typically returned to the manufacturer for repair, replacement, or refund, and may be subject to recalls if they pose safety risks.
Can a product with a minor defect be considered defective?
Whether a product with a minor defect is considered defective depends on the nature of the defect and its impact on the product's functionality and safety. Minor aesthetic defects might not render a product defective, but any defect affecting performance typically will.
How do companies manage defects and defective products?
Companies manage defects through quality assurance processes, inspections, and testing, and handle defective products by offering repairs, replacements, or recalls to maintain customer satisfaction and comply with regulations.
What role do consumers play in identifying defective products?
Consumers play a crucial role by providing feedback and reporting issues, which helps companies identify and address defects to improve product quality.
What is the difference between a warranty and a guarantee in dealing with defects?
A warranty is a promise by the manufacturer to repair, replace, or refund a product if defects arise within a certain period, while a guarantee is a broader assurance of quality and performance, often including immediate replacement or refund.
Why is it important to address defects early in the manufacturing process?
Addressing defects early prevents the production of defective items, reduces waste, and avoids the costs and reputation damage associated with recalls and customer dissatisfaction.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
