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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

flaw

/flɔ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does flaw mean?

noun

  1. A crack or breach, a gap or fissure; a defect of continuity or cohesion.
  2. A defect, fault, or imperfection, especially one that is hidden.
  3. An inclusion, stain, or other defect of a diamond or other gemstone.
More meanings (8)

noun

  1. A defect or error in a contract or other document which may make the document invalid or ineffective.
  2. A sudden burst or gust of wind of short duration; windflaw.
  3. A storm of short duration.
  4. A sudden burst of noise and disorder
  5. (obsolete) A flake, fragment, or shiver.
  6. (obsolete) A thin cake, as of ice.

verb

  1. To add a flaw to, to make imperfect or defective.
  2. To become imperfect or defective; to crack or break.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/flɔ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/flɑ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

O, that that earth which kept the world in awe Should patch a wall t’expel the winter’s flaw.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
There might still remain in her mind a changed association with him which made an irremediable difference—a lasting flaw.
George EliotMiddlemarchProject Gutenberg ebook #145
More book examples (3)
Does not the fact that this sense has not been handed down to us point to a flaw in the pedigree?
Jean-Henri FabreThe Mason-BeesTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #2884
“But there is one little flaw in your splendid theory. I was myself in my room, and I never left it during the day.”
Arthur Conan DoyleThe Return of Sherlock HolmesProject Gutenberg ebook #108
His hospitality had been without a flaw, and if he had really been wishing Bernard out of his house, he had behaved with admirable self-control.
Henry JamesConfidenceProject Gutenberg ebook #178