failure
FAY-lyuh
Failure (noun) means the state of not achieving a desired or intended result. Example: “Despite several attempts, the experiment ended in failure every time.”
noun
1
The state of not achieving a desired or intended result.
"Despite several attempts, the experiment ended in failure every time."
"The launch ended in complete failure."
"Fear of failure kept her from applying at first."
2
Not doing something that should have been done.
"His failure to lock the door allowed the cat to wander out."
"Failure to pay the bill by Friday may result in a late fee."
"The report criticized the company's failure to act on the warnings."
3
The point at which an organ or system stops working properly.
"He was rushed to hospital with heart failure."
"Kidney failure means the body cannot clean the blood properly."
"The doctor warned that liver failure can develop slowly over many years."
4
Someone or something considered unsuccessful.
"He felt like a failure after losing both his job and his flat."
"The plan was a failure from the start because nobody had tested it."
"The film was a critical and commercial failure."
How to use failure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot succeeding, or something/someone that hasn't succeeded — including a medical sense for an organ shutting down.
Common pairings
heart failure
failure to comply
total failure
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Word forms
- Plural
- failures
Fill the gap
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Despite several attempts, the experiment ended in _____ every time.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir, "to fail," combined with the suffix "-ure."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for failure
See all rhymes for failure →Frequently asked questions
What does “failure” mean?
The word “failure” means the state of not achieving a desired or intended result. In plain terms, not succeeding, or something/someone that hasn't succeeded — including a medical sense for an organ shutting down.
How do you pronounce “failure”?
“Failure” is pronounced FAY-lyuh (/ˈfeɪ.ljəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “failure” in a sentence?
Here is “failure” used in a sentence: “The launch ended in complete failure.”
What is another word for “failure”?
Words with a similar meaning to “failure” include fail.
What is the opposite of “failure”?
The opposite of “failure” — its antonyms — are success and triumph.
What part of speech is “failure”?
“Failure” is a noun.
Where does the word “failure” come from?
The word “failure” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir, "to fail," combined with the suffix "-ure.".
Is “failure” a common word?
“Failure” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the opposite of failure?
The opposite of failure is success — achieving the result you set out to reach. Related positives include triumph, victory, and achievement. Failure and success are often treated as two ends of the same scale, though many people point out that failure can be a step on the road toward eventual success.
What is the difference between failure and a mistake?
A mistake is a single wrong action or error — choosing the wrong word, taking a wrong turn. Failure is the broader outcome of not achieving what you intended, which may result from one mistake or many. You can make a mistake and still succeed; failure is about the final result falling short.
Is failure always a bad thing?
Not necessarily. Failure means falling short of a goal, which is disappointing, but it is also one of the most common ways people learn and improve. Many inventors, athletes, and entrepreneurs describe failure as essential practice. The outcome is negative, yet what you take from it can be genuinely valuable.
What are the types of failure?
The word covers many situations: personal failure to reach a goal, business or financial failure such as a company collapsing, technical failure like an engine or power failure, and academic failure such as not passing an exam. In each case, something has not worked or not achieved its purpose.
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