A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element includes a laminated vibrator made of laminations of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and an electrode film, with the electrode film having an internal electrode film. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive element has a coating formed on a part of a surface of the laminated vibrator so that the coating selectively and completely covers a defect that would otherwise be exposed on the surface of the vibrator before the coating coats the defect. The defect extends to the internal electrode film and the remainder of the surface of the laminated vibrator is free of the coating.