fail

verb

\ ˈfāl

failed; failing; fails

Definition of fail

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

1a : 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

4a : 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.

fail

noun

Definition of fail (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from fail Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fail

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Synonyms & Antonyms for fail

Synonyms: Verb

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

Antonyms: Verb

start (up)

Examples of fail in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web: Verb

Dishwasher failed to reach proper temperatures after several attempts. — Ebony Day, azcentral, "Food stored at improper temperature at 5 restaurants on this week’s restaurant inspections," 5 June 2019 And a bill that would have abolished the death penalty failed to get a committee hearing. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The State That Liberal Dreams Are Made Of," 5 June 2019 Despite the growing number of people in the diocese who had concerns about Bransfield's conduct and spending, the few internal checks that existed failed to stop it, according to the report. — Anchorage Daily News, "W. Virgnia bishop spent millions on himself and sent cash to priests he was accused of mistreating, Vatican report says," 5 June 2019 Attendance was previously free, but the initiative was started after a request for parents to participate in a recycling program failed, according to AFP. — Amy Gunia, Time, "This Indian School Requires Students to Hand Over Plastic Waste as Tuition," 5 June 2019 The man, who was driving a white pickup truck, failed to stop for an inspection and drove through the inspection area, according to officials. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, "U.S. man killed during gunbattle with border officers at California crossing, officials say," 5 June 2019 There are times when an out should have been recorded, but through the fault of no one player, that fails to happen. — Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "‘Not sure I’ve seen that before.’ Mariners’ defensive mistake baffles announcer," 4 June 2019 Every day that government fails to act is another day that vulnerable Californians lose the ability to pay for housing. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, "Editorial: Don’t give up on efforts to house the homeless," 4 June 2019 Eventually, things fall apart; cells stop dividing, DNA mutates, organs fail. — Josh Wilbur, WIRED, "You Could Live Forever With This Sci-Fi Time Hack," 4 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In 2010, after experiencing a fail at an audition with Big Deal Records, RM was invited to audition for another label, where he was actually offered a deal. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "BTS Member RM Has A Net Worth That's Out Of This World," 23 May 2019 The directions were simple enough but on the third round there was a pretty big epic fail, and Kacey called it out both IRL and on social media. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Best Stage Moments From Coachella 2019," 14 Apr. 2019 Does anyone want to watch a wide-eyed 20-something-year-old fail at the job search for more than roughly two minutes? — refinery29.com, "Sweetbitter Review: Restaurant Dramedy Is New York Fantasy For The Modern Day," 1 May 2018 Without fail, Chris posts a sweet throwback photo on Dante’s birthday each year of the two together. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "Every Question You Have About 'Happy!' Star Christopher Meloni’s Wife and Two Kids, Answered," 27 Mar. 2019 Thank you for having us ✨✨✨✨ The replies were surprisingly tame, considering how savage everyone was back in February when Khloé gave herself two extra thumbs in yet another Photoshop fail. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Khloé Kardashian Had a Major Photoshop Fail That Gave Her 14 Fingers," 9 Apr. 2019 After the plane had an engine fail, the pilots diverted to an Air Force base on the remote Alaskan Island of Shemya. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "8 Emergency Landings That Rival the 'Miracle on the Hudson'," 15 Jan. 2019 Here are her six tips to avoiding a souvenir-buying fail. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Buy a Souvenir You Won't Regret," 19 Sep. 2018 Nike’s best plan is to communicate with its core consumers, investigate what happened and remedy its product fail, according to PR experts. — Alexandra Bruell, WSJ, "Zion Williamson’s Ripped Sneaker Puts Nike in a Bad Spot," 21 Feb. 2019

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.

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More Definitions for fail

fail

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fail

: 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)

See the full definition for fail in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fail

verb

\ ˈfāl

failed; failing

Kids Definition of fail

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 : neglect entry 1 sense 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

Kids Definition of fail (Entry 2 of 2)

: failure sense 2 We met daily without fail.

fail

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

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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