Ultimate List of 100+ Character Flaws for Writing | Gatekeeper Press (2024)
Table of Contents
The idea of the “perfect” person is intriguing. The perfect hair, job, family — the list goes on!
Nonetheless, reading about perfect characters is boring! Characters tend to be much more interesting when they have that one (or more than one!) fatal flaw that adds to their appeal.
But what is a character flaw and what are some of the common character flaws you can add to your next novel? Check out our character flaws list to help you determine what flaws work best for your characters.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a character flaw is defined as “an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness.”
Flaws are what make a character interesting. They help us relate more deeply to characters (because we’re all flawed, right?) and can even make characters more attractive to the reader.
Obviously, we expect our antagonists to have notable flaws, but our heroes should have a few too just to make them seem more human. Developing flaws is a big part of how to make a unique character.
Flaws for characters are also key to creating the conflict that drama is made of, so you should devote lots of time and care when determining what those flaws are going to be.
To help you in your brainstorming process, here is a character flaws list for you to consider as you work on crafting the characters that will star in your next work of fiction.
How To Make a Unique Character for Your Book
To craft a fascinating original character, you will need to create the right balance between their strengths and their flaws. A strong heroic character has positive personality traits, abilities, and goals that make us like and root for them — but they also have flaws that jeopardize their success.
Good “villains,” on the other hand, are often the inverse, possessing deep flaws and selfish aims that are then balanced by a few good characteristics or motives, so that the reader maintains some sympathy and interest in the character.
Complete List of Character Flaws
Take a look at our list of common character flaws, which covers several different types of flaws for characters, to get some inspiration for your writing.
Physical Flaws
What counts as a physical flaw is often very much in the eye of the beholder. This character flaws list covers looks, injuries, abnormalities, and conditions that many would consider to be physical flaws and imperfections, but views may vary.
Hygiene. And we mean really terrible hygiene. Picture greasy hair and the body odor from a high school locker room.
Scars. Third-degree burns can leave a mark on the face and neck. Long scars across the cheek are a mysterious addition to your character’s backstory.
Missing limbs. Your character may be missing two fingers from the right hand because of a work injury.
Eyesight. Extremely poor eyesight can be a major flaw, especially if they’re stuck driving at night or sitting in the back of a classroom.
Weight. Your character could be morbidly obese.
Injury. Your character could be paraplegic due to war injury.
Posture. Leave the hunched back of your character a secret or discuss what caused this arch.
Tremors. Maybe your character has severe tremors in their left hand from a recent traumatic brain injury.
Amputation. An amputated arm from a childhood illness is a great way to introduce backstory.
Acne. Your high school character may be dealing with cystic acne all over their face on top of that broken heart.
Hairy. A hairy back or chest can add to the image your readers are conjuring in their minds.
Warts. Facial warts add a hint of imagery to your character.
Teeth. Several brown and rotting teeth are a clear indicator of hygiene too.
Mouth. A cleft palate can be a unique feature for your character.
Ears. One ear may be substantially larger than the other.
Eyes. A glass eye that is a different color than the other eye is a unique character flaw for a mysterious character.
Legs. Bowed legs are becoming a more common way of depicting the walk of a character too!
Beard. Describe your character’s age using their thin, patchy beard with gray streaks.
Nose. Maybe your character has developed a crooked nose from that time they broke their nose in college.
Eyebrows. A thick, black unibrow is a very distinct feature.
Birthmark. Imagine a red birthmark on the forehead in the shape of Alaska.
Feet. A clubbed foot is a birth defect that can set your character apart.
Limp. A pronounced limp due to one leg being longer than the other can be a staple descriptor.
Moles. Your character might have several large, hairy moles on their back.
Fingernails. Chewed fingernails can also be an indication of the anxiety bubbling under the surface of your character.
Pro Tip: Pair your unique character flaws with a creative plot idea that will wow readers and a popular book genre that impresses critics!
Personality Flaws
The most interesting character flaws are usually the ones that pertain to personality. In some cases, they may be the product of genetics or upbringing, but ultimately these are traits that the reader will consider to be the character’s responsibility. This character flaws list highlights the kinds of flaws that most greatly affect the character’s attitudes and actions.
Belittling. Your character may belittle anyone they view as intellectually inferior.
Arrogant. Draco Malfoy is a prime example of an arrogant character. He never admits his mistakes and often acts holier-than-thou.
Narcissistic. Sometimes characters are overly obsessed with their looks. You’ll find them staring into every reflective surface they can find.
Workaholic. This may be someone with no social life as a result of work or a workaholic who doesn’t make enough time for family.
Materialistic. TheGreat Gatsby has a character that has a particular taste for expensive material possessions — Daisy Buchanan.
Humorous. Your character could think their jokes are hilarious (and they are definitely not).
Controlling. Some characters may be very controlling of their spouse and children. This can be anything from where they go to what they wear every day.
Racist. Your character may display gross racial prejudices.
Easily-Angered. Ever met someone who has gotten angry at the slightest provocation?
Impulsive. That one character you have may be all too eager to take unnecessary risks and lead the other characters right into danger.
Competitive. All they do is “win, win, win no matter what!” Competitive individuals always have to win at everything.
Complainer. These characters find a way to complain excessively about every minor inconvenience.
Harasser. Your worst character may sexually harass people.
Unsupportive. Emotional support for friends and family is not this character’s strong suit.
Pathological Liar. Your main character may just be prone to lying all the time.
Inconsiderate. Sometimes characters enjoy the sound of their own voice. They’ll typically talk over people and rarely listen.
Critical. A character may be quick to criticize others but can’t take criticism. This is borderline hypocritical as well.
Adulterous. This character would constantly cheat on their spouse. Think Anna Karenina.
Vindictive. Some characters specialize in holding a grudge over even the smallest slights.
Greedy. You’d be surprised how many tight-fisted and ungenerous characters are actually very wealthy.
Self-righteous. Mix this with a judgemental mindset and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Bully. This character picks on the weakest and most vulnerable people.
Impetuous. That character who makes rash decisions with little information may just save the day (or not!).
Negligent. There’s something so frustrating about a willfully ignorant character.
Offensive. Your character may make offensive “jokes” about anyone different than them.
Threatening. Resorting to violently threatening people who get on their nerves could add a bit of intrigue to an otherwise calm character.
Deceptive. Hard work is pushed to the side for the character who cheats to get ahead of every opportunity they get.
Sycophant. Characters may act like a suck-up to anyone with influence or power.
Inhumane. Characters who behave cruelly towards animals may quickly become the villain of your story.
Paranoid. Around every corner, your character is paranoid that everyone is out to get them.
Exploiter. If your story is full of kind characters, one who takes advantage of others’ kindness is an ideal contrast.
Hypocrite. Add in a religious hypocrite who doesn’t practice what they preach.
Renege. Your character may keep breaking promises to loved ones.
Gullible. These characters are ready to believe anything.
Flake. Maybe your character continuously lets friends down by always being late.
Unethical. In an office setting, it can add to the storyline to have a character lacking in professional ethics.
Reckless. Reckless drivers are notorious for rising action in a plot that leads to a tragedy.
Suspicious. Characters may be suspicious of others for no reason.
Unforgiving. Refusing to forgive people’s mistakes can lead to a lot of baggage.
Irrational. Not every character has to think rationally.
Slacker. Whether you’re writing about a teenager or an unambitious side character in the workspace, being lazy and unhelpful is a highly-rated character flaw.
Indomitable. That one infuriating character may be convinced they are always right.
Addict. This character may abuse drugs or alcohol.
Explosive. Your main character may get physically destructive when upset.
Disrespectful. That one character in the friend group may behave rudely toward service and retail workers.
Squander. Not every character has to be financially stable. Some may be financially irresponsible and in debt but still trying to make it work.
Possessive. As they watch their significant other greet a friend, your character may become unreasonably jealous of said significant other.
Dolt. The mindless airhead act may be just that — an act.
Immoral. Not every character has a moral compass.
Pretentious. This character may stick their nose up at other characters they feel are beneath them.
Passive-Aggressive. Passive-aggressive insults may commonly spout from your main character’s mouth.
Pessimist. This negative character is quick to judge and always believes the worst in people.
Nagging. Wanting things done their way, your character may constantly nag people.
sad*stic. This character enjoys embarrassing others just a little too much.
Prideful. Pride and Prejudice’s very own Mr. Darcy had quite the prideful streak.
Rebellious. With or without a cause, a rebellious character may get the protagonist in a bit of trouble every now and then.
Disloyal. Your character may turn their back on the people they once called friends.
Unfriendly. Generally unpleasant to be around, an unfriendly character is a common occurrence.
Perfectionist. To an extreme amount, a perfectionist character flaw may cause a few problems for other characters.
Argumentative. Your character may love to pick a fight simply for the thrill of a fight.
Childish. Immaturity in older age happens, and it may just be the perfect character flaw of your main character.
Manipulative. Manipulative characters will go to no end to get what they want.
Stubborn. Standing your ground can sometimes stem from pure stubbornness. Little Women’s Jo March understands this.
Good Character Flaws
Not all flaws are created equal, of course. Some character flaws are more like lovable imperfections. Technically what the character is doing may be wrong or inappropriate, but it’s often with a well-meaning motive. Or it may just be a personality trait that seems inconsequential enough that ends up being more endearing than enraging. In this character flaws list, here are some examples of good character flaws to consider:
Tease. That one uncle in the story about family may poke fun at everybody but is an equal opportunity offender.
Storyteller. Creative characters may be skilled at telling entertaining but largely invented stories about their past.
Spender. Your financially irresponsible character may max out credit cards buying dinner and drinks for friends. It’s out of the goodness of their heart, but it doesn’t help pay rent.
Kind-Hearted. How can your character say no to the puppy dog eyes? They just keep taking in stray animals despite their spouse’s constant objections.
Vain. Your character may spend a large time primping and looking in the mirror too much.
Cusser. Swearing like a sailor comes to life in your character that swears excessively.
Smoker. A side character that smokes but is always trying to quit may be a constant companion to your main character. Or maybe you’ll write a situation like Augustus and his unlit cigarettes in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.
Tenacious. Synonym for “hero,” this character flies off the handle if they see someone bullying another person.
Drunkard. This character drinks too much but is somehow always the life of the party anyway.
Thoughtless. Your tactless character may not think twice when sharing criticism or bad news.
Nosy. This character may stick their nose in other people’s business but out of concern.
Dimwit. Not every character has to be the absolutely perfect 4.0 student.
Directionally-Challenged. Ever confused left from right? Your character likely does this all the time with their really bad sense of direction.
Indecisive. The smallest things can sometimes be the hardest to choose from.
Sweet-Tooth. Don’t be afraid to let your character indulge in their weakness for eating really unhealthy food.
Attached. Moving on from an ex can be challenging. Your character may still be obsessed over an ex who still has their heart.
Steadfast. Characters may have really eccentric religious or political beliefs. This may even be the whole reason this character befriends another.
Robin Hood. A Robin Hood (or the Robin Hood!) steals from the rich but uses it to help someone less fortunate.
Anxious. Your character may deal with extreme social anxiety and is really nervous around people. Cue the love interest who helps introduce them to new people.
Clumsy. A clutz adds a little bit of humor in the mix, as long as they don’t get too hurt!
Superstitious. Superstition has a way of saving characters from time to time.
Avoid a Flawed Publishing Process
Your characters may have some serious flaws, but your book shouldn’t! Let your characters and all their flaws shine through without the distraction of typos or misprints.
Once you’ve completed your book, it’s time to contact the professionals. Let Gatekeeper Press help you through the many different aspects of the editing, publishing, and distribution process so that everything goes smoothly. Your developed characters are worth the investment! Learn about all the services available to help you get a great finished product out into the world.
The word hamartia refers to a flaw or mistake that leads to a fictional character's downfall. Classical tragedies revolve around the main character's hamartia, the tragic flaw that sets a series of disastrous events in motion. Achilles' heel was his hamartia – his fatal flaw.
It is a flaw which causes an otherwise noble or exceptional character to bring about their own downfall and, often, their eventual death. Examples of this could include hubris, misplaced trust, excessive curiosity, pride, and lack of self-control.
Harry's biggest flaw is his mistrust of authority. As someone who's spent his childhood in an abusive home, Harry doesn't trust authority figures. He doesn't trust the teachers. He doesn't trust the Ministry of Magic.
It is a flaw which causes an otherwise noble or exceptional character to bring about their own downfall and, often, their eventual death. Examples of this could include hubris, misplaced trust, excessive curiosity, pride and lack of self-control.
A moral weakness is a character flaw that actively and negatively affects those around the character. In other words, a character's moral weakness must negatively impact the character's relationships.
One of the best ways to recognize your own flaws is to consult with the people you interact with most. This can be done formally — such as through a questionnaire — or casually in a conversation. Ask them to offer their constructive criticism of what you're doing wrong.
Percy Jackson: His fatal flaw is excessive personal loyalty. He will risk his life (and even the world) for his friends, family, and sometimes even strangers and enemies who he empathizes (like when he warned enemy demigods that the Princess Andromeda was about to explode).
Antony Starr plays Homelander on Prime Video's The Boys, and with season 3 about to release, he admits that his character is actually the weakest member of The Seven, and perhaps even the weakest on the entire show.
At the start of your story, the character is somehow stuck, unable to grow, move on or succeed, or his life is lacking in some way. A fatal flaw stands in his path, keeping him from being complete and whole. Often the character is blind to their fatal flaw, or mistakes it as a strength.
A tragic hero is the protagonist of a tragic story or drama, in which, despite their virtuous and sympathetic traits and ambitions, they ultimately meet defeat, suffering, or even an untimely end. They are often imperfect or wounded with some sort of fraught experience, and typically have some sort of fatal flaw.
When in this role, they are often called the antihero. Examples are Now You See Me, the Fast and Furious series, and others where the protagonist is the "bad guy".
It's perfectly normal. “There's nothing wrong with being shy,” says Dr. David Feinberg, a UCLA psychiatrist who works with kids and teens. He points out that shyness can be a good reaction when we are faced with a new setting or experience.
For all of Hermione's many strengths, one of her biggest weaknesses was that she could be close-minded. She often thought her way of viewing the world was the only right one, and she would shut down anything that seemed illogical to her.
Dumbledore's greatest flaw is also the best part about him—he loves “too” much. He loves half-giants that are expelled from school for unleashing monsters. He loves a former Death Eater and spy.
All of Snape's biggest flaws can be explained by the fact that he was selfish and self-serving. Yes, he did help Dumbledore, and he was instrumental in taking down Voldemort. However, he only did this because he himself was hurt by Lily's death.
Character weaknesses are aspects of an individual's personality and repeated behavior that have a negative impact. With perhaps a few exceptions, everyone has such weaknesses.
Romeo's tragic flaw impetuousness causes him to make decisions quickly, which contributes to his tragic death. Romeo acts with haste when he marries Juliet, not after knowing her for at least twenty-four hours. Juliet tells Romeo, “It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, / Too like the lightning” (II, ii, 118-120).
A flaw in something such as a theory or argument is a mistake in it, which causes it to be less effective or valid. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Several contemporary philosophers have argued that moral flaws in an artwork, such as an artwork's presenting an immoral perspective as commendable, constitute aesthetic flaws, i.e., that the presence of moral flaws in an artwork diminish its aesthetic value.
A tragic flaw (TRAH-jik FLAWW) or fatal flaw is a character trait that causes the downfall or demise of that character. This flaw can be negative, like jealousy, or positive, like honesty.
Flaws can be internal or external factors that affect your character and how they live their life. Sometimes they're things they have control over, like how lazy or apathetic they are, and sometimes they don't have control over them. For example, if they're extremely clumsy.
People tend to think of personality as fixed, but research shows that we are constantly changing as we age. Usually, that change is for the better. But it does take work to recognize and fix character flaws in yourself.
We continuously compare ourselves to others, and as a result we never feel content and at peace with ourselves. But the truth is that nobody is perfect. Everyone has flaws, and that's not bad at all. Flaws are actually what makes us human, individual beings with unique characteristics.
The habit of constantly pointing out people's faults is most likely a reflection of what you've struggle with in childhood. It is a manifestation of an insecurity about the very things that you judge other people for most often.
Apollo falls in love with Daphne, advancing on her so aggressively to the point where she is forced to plead to her father for help. The father, for some reason, turns her into a laurel bush. The fatal flaw, here, at least for Apollo, is that he was not able to control his love.
It can be argued that Achilles's fatal flaw is that of hubris, excessive pride and overconfidence. This is what prevents Achilles from making amends with Agamemnon when he steals Briseis from him, refusing to accept his offer of recompense for the humiliations he inflicted upon him.
Bianca di Angelo's fatal flaw may have been holding grudges, like Nico's. After her death, Bianca says that holding grudges are very dangerous for children of Hades. Bianca's flaw could also have been personal loyalty or having a much too strong bond with those she loves, such as her brother.
Mary Sue is a term used to describe a fictional character, usually female, who is seen as too perfect and almost boring for lack of flaws, originally written as an idealized version of an author in fanfiction.
You'll notice characters in books are full of flaws, even the seemingly flawless ones. Without those flaws to make heroes and villains likable or relatable,...
How Many Character Flaws Can I Have in D&D 5e? Start with one character flaw when building a new D&D character. Though you're allowed to pick as many as you want, don't let a funny idea run away with you. One phobia can be played on for dramatic and comedic effect (“I hate snakes, Jock!
A character flaw can be defined more fully as an undesirable quality in a person. It is an imperfection, limitation, deficiency, phobia, or a problem that affects the way others perceive us. These character flaws are present in everybody. A flaw can be a problem if it affects the way a person interacts with others.
The most infamous broken build by far is the Coffeelock. An egregious combination of both Sorcerer and Warlock, the Coffeelock grants players unlimited spells. In addition, this build also eliminates the need for long rests, hence the name Coffeelock.
A reimagining of a classic adventure, Curse of Strahd is deliberately one of 5e's hardest campaigns, taking place in the dark and horror-themed setting of Ravenloft. Death lurks around every corner, but the windmill Bonegrinder, inhabited by a coven of Night Hags, is one of the deadliest spots in the entire realm.
A bad character doesn't have something that moves a reader. Your reader should feel and live within the character and the character should be able to be brought to life. If a character isn't relatable then they are a bad character. They don't really have a purpose in the story.
Having two or three POV characters usually works well. Having more than that can not only confuse your reader but make it hard for you as a writer too.
What does Mary Sue mean? Mary Sue is a term used to describe a fictional character, usually female, who is seen as too perfect and almost boring for lack of flaws, originally written as an idealized version of an author in fanfiction.
It is a flaw which causes an otherwise noble or exceptional character to bring about their own downfall and, often, their eventual death. Examples of this could include hubris, misplaced trust, excessive curiosity, pride and lack of self-control.
It's perfectly normal. “There's nothing wrong with being shy,” says Dr. David Feinberg, a UCLA psychiatrist who works with kids and teens. He points out that shyness can be a good reaction when we are faced with a new setting or experience.
One of the best ways to recognize your own flaws is to consult with the people you interact with most. This can be done formally — such as through a questionnaire — or casually in a conversation. Ask them to offer their constructive criticism of what you're doing wrong.
Anxiety disorders and panic attacks are not signs of a character flaw. Most importantly, feeling anxious is not your fault. It is a serious mood disorder, which affects a person's ability to function in every day activities.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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