fail

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To be unsuccessful.

   • Throughout my life, I have always failed.
2. 2

   Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note

   Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)

   • The truck failed to start.
3. 3

   To neglect.

   • The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.
   • Those who have advocated the closure of the G.C. have so far failed to say by which alternative route this North-to-West traffic could be carried.
4. ›+ 19 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Of a machine, etc.

      Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.

      • After running five minutes, the engine failed.
      • We also found that the only emergency egress from the tram was by smashing the front or rear windscreens, and that emergency lighting had failed when the tram overturned.
   2. 5

      To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert

      To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.

      • I've failed my parents many times growing up.
      • There shall not fail thee a man on the throne.
   3. 6

      To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.

      • I failed English last year.
   4. 7

      To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.

      • The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.
   5. 8

      To miss attaining

      To miss attaining; to lose.

      • though that seat of earthly bliss be failed
   6. 9

      To be wanting

      To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.

      • The crops failed last year.
      • as the waters fail from the sea
      • Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign.
   7. 10

      To be affected with want

      To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.

      • If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not to be attributed to their size.
   8. 11

      To fall away

      To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.

      • When earnestly they seek / Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail.
   9. 12

      To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.

      To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.

      • A sick man fails.
   10. 13

       To perish

       To perish; to die; used of a person.

       • had the king in his last sickness failed
   11. 14

       To err in judgment

       To err in judgment; to be mistaken.

       • Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps / Shall grieve him, if I fail not.
   12. 15

       To become unable to meet one's engagements

       To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.

   13. 16

       A failure, especially of a financial transaction (a termination of an action).

   14. 17

       A failing grade in an academic examination.

   15. 18

       A failure (something incapable of success).

   16. 19

       Poor quality

       Poor quality; substandard workmanship.

       • The project was full of fail.
   17. 20

       Unsuccessful

       Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.

   18. 21

       A piece of turf cut from grassland.

   19. 22

       A surname.

The neighborhood

• antonymsucceedantonym(s) of “to be unsuccessful”
• neighbordefault
• neighborfallacy
• neighborfalse
• neighborfault