noun
Common
failing
FAY-lihng
Failing (noun) means a weakness or flaw in someone's character or ability. Example: “Forgetfulness is her biggest failing, but she is otherwise very reliable.”
noun
1
A weakness or flaw in someone's character or ability.
"Forgetfulness is her biggest failing, but she is otherwise very reliable."
"Everyone has some failings, and he is open about his own."
"Impatience is one of his few failings."
prep
1
Used to introduce an alternative if the first option is not possible.
"Failing a quick reply, we will assume you are not coming."
"Take the bus or, failing that, ask a neighbour for a lift."
"Send it by email, or, failing that, call me directly."
How to use failing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a personal shortcoming, or a way of saying "if that doesn't work."
Common pairings
minor failing
failing that
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Word forms
- Plural
- failings
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Forgetfulness is her biggest _____, but she is otherwise very reliable.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for failing
See all rhymes for failing →Frequently asked questions
What does “failing” mean?
The word “failing” means a weakness or flaw in someone's character or ability. In plain terms, either a personal shortcoming, or a way of saying "if that doesn't work.".
How do you pronounce “failing”?
“Failing” is pronounced FAY-lihng (/ˈfeɪ.lɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “failing” in a sentence?
Here is “failing” used in a sentence: “Impatience is one of his few failings.”
What part of speech is “failing”?
Depending on how it is used, “failing” can be a noun and a preposition.
Is “failing” a common word?
“Failing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “failing” have?
“Failing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a weakness or flaw in someone's character or ability.
What is the difference between "failing" and "failure"?
A "failing" is a weakness or flaw in someone's character or ability, as in "his one failing is impatience." A "failure" is usually a lack of success or an unsuccessful thing or person, so a failing is a shortcoming rather than an outright unsuccessful outcome.
When is "failing" used as a preposition?
"Failing" acts as a preposition when it introduces a fallback option, as in "Failing a refund, they offered store credit." Here it means "in the absence of" or "if that is not available."
What are common collocations with "failing"?
As a noun it appears in phrases like "a personal failing," "a common failing," and "despite his failings." As a preposition it is followed directly by a noun, as in "failing agreement" or "failing that."
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