Etymology Map
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Fault

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a defect; responsibility for something wrong

Where does the word "fault" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin fallere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fallere
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to deceive, fail"
the root of 'false' and 'fail'
2
Stage 2 of 3
faute
Old French · medieval
"lack, failing"
the 'l' was restored in English spelling in the 1400s and later pronounced
3
Stage 3 of 3
fault
English · 1300s
"lack; defect"
geological 'faults' date from the 1790s
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Read the full story

Fault’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: fallere meant “to deceive, fail.” The root of 'false' and 'fail'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as faute. The 'l' was restored in English spelling in the 1400s and later pronounced. It reached English by 1300s as fault. Geological 'faults' date from the 1790s. Today, fault means a defect; responsibility for something wrong.