fail

Meanings

Verb

  • To be unsuccessful.
  • Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
  • To neglect.
  • Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
  • To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert.
  • To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.
  • To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.
  • To miss attaining; to lose.
  • To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.
  • To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.
  • To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
  • To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.
  • To perish; to die; used of a person.
  • To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
  • To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.

Noun

Adjective

  • Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.

Related

Similar words

Opposite words

Origin

  • From Middle English failen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰāl- or Proto-Indo-European *sgʷʰh₂el-. Compare Dutch feilen, falen, German fehlen, Danish fejle, Swedish fela, Icelandic feila, Spanish fallar.
  • Unknown. Compare Scottish Gaelic fàl ("hedge"), Scots faill ("turf"). Attested from the 16th century.

Modern English dictionary

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