fail
fayl
Fail (verb) means to be unsuccessful in achieving something. Example: “He failed his driving test twice before passing.”
verb
1
To be unsuccessful in achieving something.
"He failed his driving test twice before passing."
"The negotiations failed to reach an agreement."
"Many students fail the exam if they do not revise properly."
2
To stop working correctly, as of a machine or system.
"The brakes failed on the way down the hill."
"If the power fails, the emergency lights come on automatically."
"My old laptop began to fail after only a few years of heavy use."
3
To let someone down by not meeting their expectations or needs.
"The system failed the very people it was meant to protect."
"Please do not fail me now; I am relying on you."
"She felt her parents had failed her by never listening to her."
noun
1
Informal: an instance of failure or something that turns out badly.
"Forgetting the tickets was a total fail."
"Their attempt to build a shelf was an epic fail."
"Posting that photo by mistake was a massive fail on my part."
How to use fail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo not succeed at something, or to stop functioning as expected.
Common pairings
fail to
fail an exam
fail a test
engine failed
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Word forms
- Plural
- fails
- Third person singular
- fails
- Past tense
- failed
- Comparative
- more fail
- Superlative
- most fail
- Archaic forms
- failest, failedst, faileth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his driving test twice before passing.
Etymology
From Old French falir, ultimately from Latin fallere, "to deceive or disappoint."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fail
See all rhymes for 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.
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