French word

faille

Pronunciation

IPA/faj/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncrack

Example

Une faille apparaît dans le mur.

A crack appears in the wall.

Illustration for faille (crack)

More examples

La découverte d'une faille dans le système a retardé le lancement.

The discovery of a flaw in the system delayed the launch.

Core concept

A thin opening in a wall or other surface that also suggests the weakness created by the break.

Common phrases

  • une faille de sécurité

    security vulnerability

  • une faille dans le système

    flaw in the system

Similar words

fissure: A thin crack on the surface or inside an object.
brèche: A gap or hole in a wall or defensive barrier.
vulnérabilité: A weak point exposed to attacks or problems.
défaut: A flaw that prevents an object or system from working properly.

Definition in French

Ouverture ou fissure étroite dans une matière ou une surface, ou, au sens figuré, défaut ou point faible qui compromet la solidité ou la continuité.

Word origin

The noun faille comes through Old French from the family of faillir, whose meanings include failing or lacking, linking a crack with a defect.

Usage tips

  • In abstract contexts, une faille de sécurité means a security vulnerability rather than a literal crack.

Other meanings

  • weaknessnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word