fail

play

verb \ ˈfāl \

Definition of fail

intransitive verb

1 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 insolvent

banks were failing

transitive verb

1 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 (someone, such as a student) as not passing

The teacher failed only his two worst students.

—

failingly

play \ˈfā-liŋ-lē\ adverb

See fail defined for English-language learners

See fail defined for kids

Examples of fail in a Sentence

He failed in his first attempt but succeeded in his second attempt.
His first company failed, but his second company succeeded.
He felt that he had failed her when she needed him most.
The government has failed the voters.

Recent Examples of fail from the Web

Rowe said the plant initially used generators to power the refrigeration system, but when those failed after the flood, the chemicals were moved to diesel-powered refrigerators.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "CEO of Flooded Texas Chemical Plant: There’s ‘No Way to Prevent’ Explosion," 30 Aug. 2017
But as power failed, Arkema began evacuating the complex with help from the Crosby city Fire Department, the Houston Chronicle reported.

— joseph n. distefano, Philly.com, "Philly chemical maker now says its flooded Texas plant will likely explode," 30 Aug. 2017
The chancellor also appeared unworried about voter blowback from eurozone bailouts, another issue that has drawn criticism in recent years but failed to ignite in the campaign.

— geir moulson, chicagotribune.com, "Germany's Merkel: Europe still 'hasn't done homework' on refugees," 29 Aug. 2017
Some blamed the lead producer, Howard Kagan, a hard-charging hedge fund veteran, for failing to rein in costs or to plan effectively.

— michael paulson, New York Times, "Race, Money and Broadway: How ‘Great Comet’ Burned Out," 29 Aug. 2017
Previous clinical trials of stem cells have been successful in Phase 1 and 2, Schatz said, but fail in Phase 3.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Young cardiac cells rejuvenate heart in animal study," 29 Aug. 2017
A failing pension system provides no retirement security to current state employees or teachers.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "How can Kentucky fix its pension crisis? Report to be released Monday could offer clues," 28 Aug. 2017
Plagued by a offensive outage, the Royals finished the night 1 1/2 games back of Minnesota for the second wild-card spot, failing to take advantage of a Twins loss.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Royals are shut out for second straight night, fall 4-0 to the Indians," 26 Aug. 2017
Pyongyang apparently launched three short-range missiles (as opposed to the longer-range missiles, capable of potentially reaching the U.S., that have been a recent point of contention) and all three failed.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Commander in Chaos," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fail

Middle English failen, from Anglo-French faillir, from Vulgar Latin *fallire, alteration of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

fail Synonyms

Synonyms

break, break down, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, give out, stall

Antonyms

start (up)

Related Words

fizzle, sputter, wheeze; act up, malfunction; jam

Near Antonyms

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win

fail

noun

Definition of fail

1 :failure —usually used in the phrase without fail

Every day, without fail, he has toast and coffee for breakfast.

2 :a failure (as by a security dealer) to deliver or receive securities within a prescribed period after purchase or sale

See fail defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of fail from the Web

Only 17 percent of the public — and 40 percent of Republicans — think the Trump administration should take steps to make the health law fail, the survey said.

— phil galewitz, Kaiser Health News, "Americans Eager For Leaders To Cooperate To Make Health Law Work," 11 Aug. 2017
Matt LeBlanc revealed that the sling was not supposed to be part of the show at all, but the result of a real life stunt fail.

— melissa locker, Time, "Watch Joey Finally Explain a Weird Friends Mystery on Jimmy Kimmel," 8 Aug. 2017
But if economic and diplomatic pressure fail, the White House will once again find itself with few non-military options to resolve a potentially catastrophic, decades-long standoff.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "“Fire and Fury”: Trump Warns of Massive Retaliation if North Korea Threatens U.S.," 8 Aug. 2017
Some no-fail options include pixie pants, midi skirts, and clean off-the-shoulder tops; leave the more eye-catching shapes for a monochromatic outfit day.

— avery matera, Glamour, "How to Make Mixed Prints Look Cool Every Time," 7 Aug. 2017
But while talk of bipartisanship was ascendant in the Senate, many House members were angry with their Senate colleagues for letting the repeal effort fail.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Uncertainty looms ahead for GOP effort to repeal and replace Affordable Care Act," 29 July 2017
Without fail, every one of the local guides managed to answer all of our questions.

— jennifer franklin, USA TODAY, "Magical travel along the Ancient Silk Road," 5 July 2017
So if Valerian is an epic fail, EuropaCorp could go up for auction.

— chris lee, MSNBC Newsweek, "Not a Marvel Movie: 'Valerian' Director on His Epic and Expensive Sci-Fi Adapted From a Graphic Novel," 5 July 2017
Jones was arrested Sunday and faces a charge of fail to report a death, a Class A misdemeanor.

— domingo ramirez jr., star-telegram, "Marijuana theft led to kidnapping of Lancaster girl; six arrested," 3 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of fail

see ¹fail

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

FAIL Defined for English Language Learners

fail

play

verb

Definition of fail for English Language Learners

: to not succeed : to end without success
: to not succeed as a business : to become bankrupt
: to not do (something that you should do or are expected to do)

FAIL Defined for Kids

fail

play

verb \ ˈfāl \

Definition of fail for Students

failed; failing

1 :to be unsuccessful

He failed the test.

2 :to grade as not passing

My teacher failed me.

3 :to stop functioning

The engine failed.

4 :to be or become absent or not enough

The water supply failed.

5 :to become bankrupt

The business failed.

6 :¹neglect 2

Don't fail to ask if you need my help.

7 :disappoint, desert

I need your help. Please don't fail me.

8 :to lose strength :weaken

She's failing in health.

9 :to fall short

One drink failed to satisfy my thirst.

10 :to die away

The family line failed.

fail

noun

Definition of fail for Students

:failure 2

We met daily without fail.

Medical Dictionary

fail

play

intransitive verb \ ˈfā(ə)l \

medical Definition of fail

1 :to weaken or lose strength

her health was failing

2 :to stop functioning normally

the patient's heart failed

Law Dictionary

fail

intransitive verb

legal Definition of fail

1 :to be or become inadequate or unsuccessful especially in fulfilling certain formal requirements

even if one or more terms are left open, a contract for sale does not fail for indefiniteness
—Uniform Commercial Code

2 :to become bankrupt or insolvent

transitive verb

:to leave undone or neglect to do

fail to appear in court

fail to read a contract

Learn More about fail

See words that rhyme with fail Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fail Spanish Central: Translation of fail Nglish: Translation of fail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fail for Arabic speakers

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failingly

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fail

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FAIL Defined for English Language Learners

fail

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FAIL Defined for Kids

fail

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fail

Definition of fail for Students

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fail

medical Definition of fail

Law Dictionary

fail

legal Definition of fail

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