fail
1 antonyms and opposites of fail, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To be unsuccessful in achieving something.
Antonyms
How to use fail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French falir, ultimately from Latin fallere, "to deceive or disappoint."
Full origin of fail →Frequently asked questions
What does “fail” mean?
The word “fail” means to be unsuccessful in achieving something. In plain terms, to not succeed at something, or to stop functioning as expected.
How do you pronounce “fail”?
“Fail” is pronounced fayl (/feɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fail” in a sentence?
Here is “fail” used in a sentence: “He failed his driving test twice before passing.”
What is the opposite of “fail”?
The opposite of “fail” — its antonyms — is succeed.
What part of speech is “fail”?
Depending on how it is used, “fail” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “fail” come from?
The word “fail” comes from Latin. From Old French falir, ultimately from Latin fallere, "to deceive or disappoint.".
Is “fail” a common word?
“Fail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fail” have?
“Fail” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be unsuccessful in achieving something.
What is the difference between fail and lose?
To fail is to fall short of a goal or standard — you fail a test or fail to arrive on time. To lose is to be beaten in a contest or to no longer have something. You can lose a game without failing at anything, and fail privately with no opponent involved.
What is the opposite of fail?
The main opposite is "succeed" — to achieve what you set out to do. Related positives include "pass" (for a test or inspection), "accomplish," and "achieve." Which fits depends on context: you pass an exam, succeed in a plan, or accomplish a task you once failed.
Can failing be a good thing?
Often, yes. While failing means not achieving a goal, it frequently exposes what went wrong and points towards improvement. Many skills, inventions, and businesses advance through repeated failure and correction. The outcome is unwelcome in the moment, but treated as feedback, failing can be a valuable step towards eventual success.