2 syllables: De, fect. Stress on De.
DEE-fekt
/ˈdifɛkt/
Defect is pronounced DEE-fekt (/ˈdifɛkt/). It has two syllables (De-fect), with the stress on "De". Defect (noun) refers to a flaw or imperfection in something, or the act of failing to meet a required standard. It can describe a fault in materials, a defect in a system, or a shortcoming in performance. The term often carries formal or technical connotations, and it can also denote a disability present from birth in medical contexts.
nounDefect (noun) refers to a flaw or imperfection in something, or the act of failing to meet a required standard. It can describe a fault in materials, a defect in a system, or a shortcoming in performance. The term often carries formal or technical connotations, and it can also denote a disability present from birth in medical contexts.
"The manufacturing defect caused the product to fail a safety test."
"There is a defect in the software that needs urgent patching."
"A genetic defect can result in various congenital conditions."
Pronounce as /ˈdiː.fekt/ in US and UK; in practice, place primary stress on the first syllable. The vowel in the first syllable is a long /iː/ as in “deep,” followed by a clear /f/ and a silent or lightly enunciated /t/ depending on dialect. In careful speech you’ll hear the /t/ as a light release for the /t/. Audio examples align with standard dictionaries—listen for the strong initial beat and the crisp /fekt/ ending.
Common errors include articulating the second syllable as /dɪˈfɛkt/ or turning /e/ into /ɛ/ as in ‘defect’ vs. ‘defect’ (noun) vs. ‘defect’ (verb). Some speakers also reduce the first syllable to /dɪ-/ or mispronounce the /f/ by voicing it as /v/. Corrective tips: keep the /iː/ long in the first syllable, ensure the /f/ is unvoiced, and finish with a crisp /t/ or a light unreleased /t/ depending on cadence.
US/UK/AU share /ˈdiː.fekt/ generally, with rhotic differences affecting the r-colour in related words but not here. In some UK varieties, there may be a small vowel shortening in rapid speech; Australian English may have a slightly more centralized vowel in casual speech, but the /iː/ remains long. The final /t/ can be released in careful speech, or softly unreleased in fast speech, especially in US and AU. Across all, the primary stress remains on the first syllable.
Key challenge is keeping a clear long /iː/ in the first syllable while transitioning quickly to the unvoiced /f/ and crisp /kt/ ending. The /f/ must be unvoiced and the /t/ can be released or unreleased, influencing talk speed. Learners often insert a schwa in the second syllable or misplace the /e/ vowel. Focus on a gliding, precise sequence: /ˈdiː/ + /fekt/ without extra vowels in between.
In the noun form, the second syllable begins with a consonant cluster /fekt/ which can influence tongue position: the /f/ requires upper teeth on the lower lip, and the /kt/ cluster demands a rapid tongue tip closure followed by a small stop release. Avoid inserting a vowel before /f/, which commonly happens for learners who are trying to “land” the word with easier phonemes. Keep the nucleus stable on /iː/ and end with a quick, controlled /kt/ release.
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US: rhoticity is not a major factor for this word; focus on a stressed /ˈdiː/ and a crisp /fekt/. UK: Similar nucleus, but you may notice slightly crisper /t/ and less vowel reduction in connected speech. AU: tends toward relaxed vowel quality; keep /iː/ clearly voiced and the /f/ unvoiced; maintain concise ending. Vowel length and quality remain the core differentiator: US and UK keep /iː/ long; AU may be slightly shorter in casual speech. IPA references help track subtle shifts: /ˈdiː.fekt/.
Defect comes from the Latin defectus, meaning a failing or lacking, from de- (down, away) + factus (made, done). The word entered English in the 14th century, initially used in legal and military contexts to describe a failing or deficiency in an obligation or performance. Throughout the 16th–18th centuries, defect broadened to describe imperfections in objects, machinery, and materials, as well as moral shortcomings. In science and engineering, defect remains a precise term for any deviation from a specified standard. The shift toward medical use—indicating a congenital anomaly or disability—gollows later centuries, reflecting Latin roots in clinical descriptions. The core sense has always centered on something that fails to meet an expected standard, whether tangible (a crack in a component) or abstract (a flaw in reasoning). First known use in English appears in medieval legal documents, with broader adoption in technical vocabulary in the Industrial Age as manufacturing and engineering standards intensified.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Defect" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Defect" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Defect"
-ect sounds
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