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fail
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- pronunciation:
- feIl
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- without fail
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
fails, failing, failed |
| definition 1: |
to be or become ineffective or unsuccessful; be lacking in an effort or attempt.
The mayor failed at the task of revitalizing the downtown area.She failed in her efforts to raise funds for the project.- synonyms:
- miscarry
- antonyms:
- prosper, succeed, triumph, work
- similar words:
- bite the dust, collapse, come a cropper, fizzle, flop, go down, miss
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| definition 2: |
to lose endurance or strength; decline.
The runner's strength began to fail after the fifteenth mile.His health began to fail rapidly after his wife died.- synonyms:
- decline, languish, sink
- similar words:
- decay, deteriorate, droop, dwindle, ebb, fade, lag, pine, trail, wane, weaken
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| definition 3: |
to stop operating.
The machines failed, and production came to an abrupt stop.The doctor said that any large effort could cause her heart to fail.- synonyms:
- break down, die
- similar words:
- blow, break, collapse, falter, go, stall
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| definition 4: |
to receive any grade below passing in a test or course.
If you don't study, you could fail.- synonyms:
- flunk
- similar words:
- bomb
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| definition 5: |
of a business, to become unable to make enough money to continue operating and to pay off debts; become insolvent.
The restaurant failed after only six months in business. |
| related words: |
abort, ail, come to grief, default, flaw, fold, give, go wrong, lock, lose, sag, slip, stall, waver |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to be unsuccessful in meeting the expectations of; disappoint.
He failed his friends by stealing their money to support his drug habit.He promised his daughter he would attend her graduation, but he failed her again.- synonyms:
- disappoint
- antonyms:
- achieve
- similar words:
- desert, forsake, let down
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| definition 2: |
to receive a grade below passing in (a test or course).
Sue failed her driving test.- synonyms:
- flunk
- antonyms:
- pass
- similar words:
- blow
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| definition 3: |
to give (someone) a grade below passing.
No teacher likes to fail a student.- synonyms:
- flunk
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| definition 4: |
to neglect or omit to do something important or required.
After he failed to pay the bill, the electric company turned off his power.The injury occurred because the worker failed to follow the safety instructions. |
| related words: |
abort |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
in commerce, a failure to deliver securities on time, or to receive proceeds from a transaction.
- similar words:
- failure
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| phrase: |
without fail |
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