defective
/dɪˈfektɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfektɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈfek-tiv/ (ame, mw)
defective — adjective
- defectivepositive
- more defectivecomparative
- most defectivesuperlative
1. describes an item, machine, or component that contains a fault which stops it fr
describes an item, machine, or component that contains a fault which stops it from operating correctly.
The car manufacturer recalled over ten thousand defective airbags last month.
defective + product noun (airbags)
Christopher's laptop had a defective battery that would not hold a charge.
A defective brake pad caused the vehicle to fail its annual safety test.
The hospital returned the defective ventilator after it stopped working mid-operation.
- working
simple opposite for everyday use
- functioning
formal opposite; suggests the item operates as expected
文法句型
defective + noun (product/part/equipment)
be + defective
用法筆記
Used for objects, machines, and systems — not for living beings in modern usage.
常見錯誤
2. describes a specific organ or bodily system that does not function normally, oft
describes a specific organ or bodily system that does not function normally, often because of damage or a condition present from birth.
Damage to her eyes left Adaeze with defective vision that glasses could not fix.
defective + body function (vision)
The baby was born with a defective heart valve and needed surgery within days.
A defective immune system makes it harder for the body to fight common infections.
Noor's defective hearing was caused by an infection she had as a young child.
文法句型
defective + body part/organ/system
be + defective in + body part
用法筆記
This sense usually describes a specific body part, organ, or system, not a person as a whole. Referring to a person as 'defective' is considered offensive in modern English. Use 'person with a disability' or specify the affected body part instead.
defective — noun
1. a product or item that has a fault and does not work correctly, especially one r
a product or item that has a fault and does not work correctly, especially one removed during quality inspection.
The quality control team removed every defective from the production line before shipping.
countable noun: a defective (manufacturing context)
Customers who bought a defective from the January batch can get a full refund.
The inspector marked each defective with a red sticker and sent it for rework.
The factory workers removed all defectives from the assembly line before packaging.
- faulty item
more common in everyday language
- reject
technical term in manufacturing for items that fail quality checks
- second
a slightly imperfect item sold at a discount, often works acceptably
- perfect item
an item without any faults
文法句型
a defective
the defectives
用法筆記
Primarily used in manufacturing, quality control, and retail contexts. In everyday speech, 'faulty item' or 'defective product' is more natural.
2. a dated and offensive word for someone whose body or mind works atypically, now
a dated and offensive word for someone whose body or mind works atypically, now replaced by respectful person-first language.
The outdated hospital records used the term 'defectives' for patients with learning disabilities.
dated usage; now considered offensive
Nineteenth-century doctors wrongly labelled people with disabilities as 'moral defectives'.
Historians note that Victorian institutions often labelled the poor and disabled as 'defectives'.
The new policy replaced the word 'defective' with 'person with disability'.
- person with a disability
the respectful modern term; puts the person before the condition
文法句型
a defective
the defectives
用法筆記
This noun sense is now considered outdated and offensive. Contemporary English uses person-first language instead: 'person with a disability,' 'person with an impairment,' or 'disabled person.' Avoid using 'a defective' to refer to any person in modern speech or writing.