fail

Main Entry:: ¹fail
Pronunciation:: \ˈfāl\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: Middle English failen, from Anglo-French faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint
Date:: 13th century

intransitive verb1 a: to lose strength : weaken <her health was failing> b: to fade or die away <until our family line fails> c: to stop functioning normally <the patient's heart failed>2 a: to fall short <failed in his duty> b: to be or become absent or inadequate <the water supply failed> c: to be unsuccessful <the marriage failed> ; specifically : to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade <took the exam and failed> d: to become bankrupt or insolventtransitive verb1 a: to disappoint the expectations or trust of <her friends failed her> b: to miss performing an expected service or function for <his wit failed him>2: to be deficient in : lack <never failed an invincible courage — Douglas MacArthur>3: to leave undone : neglect <fail to lock the door>4 a: to be unsuccessful in passing <failed chemistry> b: to grade (as a student) as not passing

— fail·ing·ly

\ˈfā-liŋ-lē\ adverb

Learn more about "fail" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "fail" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols