Fail
/feɪl/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo be unsuccessful; to not succeed in doing something.
/feɪl/
To be unsuccessful in achieving a desired result.
The project failed due to lack of funding.
💡 Simply: Imagine you try to bake a cake, but it burns. You *fail*! It means you didn't do what you were trying to do. Like, if you try to catch a ball and you miss, you fail at catching it.
👶 For kids: When you try to do something but it doesn't work.
More Examples
She failed to understand the instructions.
He tried to jump the fence but failed.
How It's Used
"The student failed the exam."
"The company failed to meet its sales target."
To break down or stop working.
/feɪl/
To stop functioning or working.
The engine failed during the test drive.
💡 Simply: Imagine a lightbulb that goes out. It *fails* to work anymore. It can also describe something like your heart; if it can't work anymore, it fails.
👶 For kids: When something stops working.
More Examples
The brakes failed, causing the car to crash.
His eyesight began to fail as he got older.
How It's Used
"The computer failed due to a power outage."
"His heart failed after the operation."
Lack of success; an unsuccessful person or thing.
/feɪl/
Lack of success.
His business ended in failure.
💡 Simply: When something you try doesn't work, that's a *failure*. Like, if you bake cookies and they taste terrible, the cookies are a failure.
👶 For kids: When something doesn't work out the way you want.
More Examples
The experiment was a failure.
The failure of the negotiations led to increased tensions.
How It's Used
"The project was a complete failure."
"The company declared bankruptcy due to a string of failures."
Lack of fulfilling a duty, obligation, or expectation
/feɪl/
Failure to fulfill a duty.
The failure of the government to act was widely criticized.
💡 Simply: If you were supposed to feed the dog and didn't, that's a failure. Or if you promise to do something and don't do it, that's a failure.
👶 For kids: When you don't do something you're supposed to do.
More Examples
He admitted his failure to pay his taxes.
Her failure to attend the meeting caused concern.
How It's Used
"Failure to appear in court results in a warrant for your arrest."
"She was criticized for her failure to meet her commitments."
To become weaker, less effective, or deficient.
/feɪl/
To become weak or deficient.
His health was beginning to fail.
💡 Simply: When something is getting weak, like your eyesight as you get older. Or, when your courage starts to run out.
👶 For kids: To become not as strong or good anymore.
More Examples
The supply of resources failed due to the storm.
Her strength failed after running the marathon.
How It's Used
"His eyesight was failing with age"
"Her courage failed when faced with danger."
Synonyms
Botch
Cease
Collapse
Crash
Breakdown
Defeat
Disappointment
Default
Decline
Deteriorate
Diminish
Idioms & expressions
without fail
Definitely; certainly; without exception.
"The sun rises every day without fail."
From Old French *faillir* 'to be lacking, err', from Latin *fallere* 'to deceive, disappoint, be wanting'.
Used since the 13th century, originally meaning 'to be lacking' or 'to fall short'.