feilaktig

Feilaktig is a Norwegian adjective meaning incorrect or erroneous. It describes something that is not accurate, such as a statement, belief, conclusion, calculation, data, or interpretation. The term is common in both everyday language and formal discourse, including journalism, science, and law, where it signals that a claim does not reflect reality or established facts. For example, "Påstanden er feilaktig" translates to "The claim is erroneous."

Etymology: Feilaktig is formed from the noun feil, meaning fault or error, and the suffix -aktig, which conveys the sense "like" or "characterized by." It is cognate with the Swedish felaktig and the Danish fejlaktig, reflecting shared Nordic roots.

Usage and nuance: Feilaktig is stronger than merely imprecise; it implies a substantive fault in reasoning, evidence, or calculation. It is often contrasted with korrekt (correct) or nøyaktig (precise). The term can apply to statements, assumptions, theories, or procedures, and is common in peer review, critique, and regulatory contexts. In some contexts, unøyaktig might be used for measurement error, while feilaktig emphasizes erroneous conclusions rather than mere lack of precision.

Se også: unøyaktig, feil, korrekt.