fail-safe

adjective

\ ˈfāl-ˌsāf

How to pronounce fail-safe (audio)

\

Definition of fail-safe

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : incorporating some feature for automatically counteracting the effect of an anticipated possible source of failure

2 : being or relating to a safeguard that prevents continuing on a bombing mission according to a preconceived plan

3 : having no chance of failure : infallibly problem-free the little black dress … has consistently been the fail-safe solution for night — Vogue

fail-safe

noun

Definition of fail-safe (Entry 2 of 2)

: a device or measure that makes something fail-safe

Synonyms & Antonyms for fail-safe

Synonyms: Adjective

can't-miss, certain, infallible, sure, surefire, unfailing

Synonyms: Noun

caution, palladium, precaution, preventive, safeguard

Antonyms: Adjective

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about fail-safe

Dictionary Entries near fail-safe

failing grade/mark

fail to see/understand

Statistics for fail-safe

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for fail-safe

The first known use of fail-safe was in 1946

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for fail-safe

fail-safe

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of fail-safe

: certain not to fail

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

Keep scrolling for more

Comments on fail-safe

What made you want to look up fail-safe? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

remittance

a sum of money that is sent as a payment

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which came first?

snarky sarcastic

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ