fail

1. 1

   To be unsuccessful.intransitive

   • Throughout my life, I have always failed.
2. 2

   Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)transitive

   • The truck failed to start.
3. 3

   To neglect.transitive

   • The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.
4. 4

   Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.intransitive

   • After running five minutes, the engine failed.
5. 5

   To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.transitive

   • I've failed my parents many times growing up.
6. 6

   To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.ambitransitive

   • I failed English last year.
7. 7

   To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.transitive

   • The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.
8. 8

   To miss attaining; to lose.obsoletetransitive

   • though that seat of earthly bliss be failed
9. 9

   To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.

   • The crops failed last year.
10. 10

    To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.archaic

    • If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not to be attributed to their size.

ant. succeed

1. 1

   A failure, especially of a financial transaction (a termination of an action).countableuncountable

2. 2

   A failing grade in an academic examination.countableuncountable

3. 3

   A failure (something incapable of success).UScountableslang

4. 4

   Poor quality; substandard workmanship.slanguncountable

   • The project was full of fail.

1. 1

   Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.USslang

1. 1

   A piece of turf cut from grassland.