What's the difference between foible and fault?

How is foible different from fault or flaw?

How do I use foible in a sentence?

Can I use foible in writing tasks?

Is foible a common word?

Is foible common in everyday speech?

← Dictionary

foible

/ˈfɔɪbəl/

IELTSAcademic

noun

A minor weakness or odd habit in someone's character.

He laughs about his fear of heights as a foible.
We all have small foibles.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: foible is milder than fault or flaw and suits gentle self-critique. Unlike sharper terms, it suggests a forgivable quirk rather than serious failure. Choose foible when you want a softer, more personal tone.

In other languages

Spanish: Debilidad pequeña
Japanese: ちょっとした欠点
Korean: 사소한 결점
Vietnamese: Nhược điểm nhỏ
Chinese: 小缺点

Common phrases

a small foible of hisin the foible ofto hide one's foibles

Synonyms

quirk oddity peculiarity

Related words

habit quirk mannerism trait weakness

Frequently asked questions

Is foible formal or informal?: Is foible formal or informal?
What's the difference between foible and fault?: How is foible different from fault or flaw?
How do I use foible in a sentence?: Can I use foible in writing tasks?
Is foible a common word?: Is foible common in everyday speech?