Failure
/ˈfeɪljər/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe state of not succeeding or the lack of success in doing or achieving something.
/ˈfeɪljər/
Lack of success.
The failure of the mission was a major setback.
💡 Simply: Think of when you try to bake a cake, and it doesn't rise. Or when you miss the basket when shooting a ball. It's not getting what you hoped for. Like, 'Oh no, the cake was a failure!
👶 For kids: When something doesn't work out the way you wanted.
More Examples
He admitted his failure and learned from it.
The company's failure led to many job losses.
How It's Used
"The project was a failure due to poor planning."
"Despite her best efforts, she experienced failure in her exams."
A person or thing that is not successful, or that has failed.
/ˈfeɪljər/
A person or thing that is unsuccessful.
The old car was a mechanical failure.
💡 Simply: Imagine a robot that doesn't do its job correctly. It might be called a failure. Or a person, like if you try to fix a broken toy and it doesn't work.
👶 For kids: Something or someone that doesn't do a good job or doesn't work.
More Examples
He considered himself a failure because he couldn't provide for his family.
The experiment was a failure, and they had to start over.
How It's Used
"He felt like a failure after losing the competition."
"The prototype was a failure and needed redesigning."
The act or an instance of failing or ceasing to function properly.
/ˈfeɪljər/
The omission of expected action.
The power failure caused chaos throughout the city.
💡 Simply: When something that should keep working stops. Like when the lights go out in the house, that's a power failure. Or like, if the remote breaks, it's a remote failure!
👶 For kids: When something stops working like it should.
More Examples
She experienced kidney failure.
The building's structural failure led to its collapse.
How It's Used
"Heart failure can be a life-threatening condition."
"A system failure caused the train to be delayed."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a failure to communicate
Lack of effective communication; misunderstandings.
"Their marital problems stemmed from a failure to communicate."
system failure
A malfunction or breakdown of a system.
"The unexpected system failure caused a significant delay."
failure rate
The proportion of a system or product that fails.
"The failure rate for this model is very high."
From Middle French *faillir* ('to fail'), from Latin *fallere* ('to deceive, disappoint, fail').
The word failure has been used in English since the 16th century, initially with the meaning of 'a failing or deficiency'.
Memory tip
Imagine a project falling flat – that's a failure.
Word Origin
"to deceive, disappoint, fail"