Fault vs Failure: Difference and Comparison

The terms ‘fault’ and ‘failure’ can be termed as two negative terms as they almost mean something that is not correct. Both terms have different sets of meanings that justify their differences.

Fault and Failure directs different situations that we will be discussing here.

Key Takeaways

1. Faults are defects or errors in a system, while failures occur when the system does not perform as intended.
2. Faults can be detected and corrected before causing failure, but failures happen due to faults not being addressed.
3. A fault may not always lead to a failure, but a failure indicates the presence of one or more faults.

Fault vs Failure

A fault is a defect or flaw in a system, component, or device that may or may not cause it to malfunction. It can be physical or design and may not necessarily cause it to fail. A failure is when a system, component, or device fails due to a fault or external factors, such as improper use or environmental conditions.

Simply put, fault resembles something that can be termed a mistake or error. Fault can be done on purpose or without purpose, that depends upon the situation.

The fault is considered to be a noun term. Its causes can be said to be carelessness or ignorance.

On the other hand, in simple words, failure resembles something that is the negative outcome of serious efforts made for a particular thing or situation.

Failure causes when someone hopes for success but ends up with nothing in return. Failure is also considered to be a noun term.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Fault	Failure
Definition	The term fault refers to some kind of mistake or error that someone is to be blamed.	The term failure refers to something that does not get the success and hence ends up losing.
The Etymological Meaning of the Term	The term fault has been originated from an old French term called ‘faute’ meaning ‘lack’ or deficiency’.	The term failure has been originated from the Anglo-French term ‘failer’ and the term ‘failer’ from the Old French term ‘falir’ meaning ‘be lacking’ or ‘not succeed’.
Role of the Term	The term fault might have a minor role in its meaning in a situation.	The term failure might have a major role in its meaning in a situation.
Cause	Generally, a fault is caused by a few instances such as carelessness or ignorance.	Generally, failure is caused by many instances but the particular term that justifies it is a fault.
Synonym Terms	Fault includes various synonyms such as guilt, censure, find fault with, culpability, etc.	Failure includes various synonyms such as non-success, omission, non-performance, etc.
Antonym Terms	The antonym term for fault is faultlessness or correctness.	The antonym term for failure is a success.
Example	John apologized to his friend because he was upset about its fault, which ruined their friendship.	Otis is sad about Ola’s failure in the school relay race.

What is Fault?

Fault means when some or something is responsible for the mistake or error that they make.

Fault can be classified into two types: in one situation, the fault can be done without any purpose, and the other is when someone makes a mistake on purpose. But both faults are wrong.

The term fault has been originated from an old French term called ‘faute’, meaning ‘lack’ or deficiency.

The term fault might have a minor role in its meaning in a situation.

The term fault is said to have a minor role because when a person makes a mistake, the fault of the person might not have a big influence, not that situation.

But, it has some minimalistic influence. Generally, a fault is caused by a few instances, such as carelessness or ignorance.

When one must be serious and give proper attention to the task, the task completes smoothing without any mistakes.

But, when the person ignores and acts like a careless person, a mistake takes place, leading to the person’s fault.

Fault includes various synonyms such as guilt, censure, find fault with, culpability, etc. And its antonym terms are faultlessness or correctness.

An example of a sentence including the term ‘fault’ is – John apologizes to his friend because he was upset about his fault, which ruined their friendship.

What is Failure?

Failure denotes when someone does not succeed in a particular task or something.

Failure means losing. The term failure has been originated from the Anglo-French term ‘failer’ and the term ‘failer’ from the Old French term ‘falir’, meaning ‘be lacking’ or ‘not succeed’.

Initially, the original term referred to a different language, which is Anglo-French, and later on, that term also changed into the Old French term.

Therefore, the term failure is associated with two different languages. The original term of failure itself refers to the meaning of failure.

The term failure might have a major role in its meaning in a situation. This is because when someone fails, it might lead to various directions and can affect the person’s overall situation.

Generally, failure is caused by many instances, but the term that justifies it is a fault.

There is both an antonym and synonym of the word failure. Failure includes synonyms or terms denoting the same meaning of failure, such as non-success, omission, non-performance, etc.

And also, the antonym term for failure is success. An example of a sentence including the term ‘failure’ is – Otis is sad about Ola’s failure in the school relay race.

Main Differences Between Fault and Failure

1. The term fault refers to some mistake or error that someone is to be blamed. On the other hand, The term failure refers to something that does not get success and hence ends up losing.
2. The term fault has been originated from an old French term called ‘faute’, meaning ‘lack’ or deficiency. On the other hand, The term failure has been originated from the Anglo-French term ‘failer’ and the term ‘failer’ from the Old French term ‘falir’, meaning ‘be lacking’ or ‘not succeed’.
3. The term fault might have a minor role in its meaning in a situation. On the other hand, The term failure might have a major role in its meaning in a situation.
4. Generally, a fault is caused by a few instances, such as carelessness or ignorance. On the other hand, Generally, failure is caused by many instances, but the particular term that justifies it is a fault.
5. Fault includes various synonyms such as guilt, censure, find fault with, culpability, etc. On the other hand, Failure includes various synonyms such as non-success, omission, non-performance, etc.
6. The antonym terms for fault are faultlessness or correctness. On the other hand, The antonym term for failure is a success.
7. An example of the term fault is – John apologized to his friend because he was upset about his fault, which ruined their friendship. On the other hand, an example of the term failure is – Otis is sad about Ola’s failure in the school relay race.

References

1. https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/bssa/article-lookup/95/1/109
2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4760152/

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023