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Meaning

1. Meaning 1 · verb

   To be unsuccessful.

   “Throughout my life, I have always failed.”

2. Meaning 2 · verb

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

   “The truck failed to start.”

3. Meaning 3 · verb

   To neglect.

   “The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.”

4. Meaning 4 · verb

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

   “After running five minutes, the engine failed.”

5. Meaning 5 · verb

   To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert.

6. Meaning 6 · verb

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

   “I failed English last year.”

7. Meaning 7 · verb

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

   “The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.”

8. Meaning 8 · verb

   To miss attaining; to lose.

9. Meaning 9 · verb

   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. Meaning 10 · verb

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

11. Meaning 11 · verb

    To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.

12. Meaning 12 · verb

    To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.

    “A sick man fails.”

13. Meaning 13 · verb

    To perish; to die; used of a person.

14. Meaning 14 · verb

    To err in judgment; to be mistaken.

15. Meaning 15 · verb

    To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.

16. Meaning 16 · adjective

    Unsuccessful

17. Meaning 17 · adjective

    Decayed; worn out.

18. Meaning 18 · adjective

    Bankrupt.

How this word is used

• Everyday “Throughout my life, I have always failed.”
• General “The truck failed to start.”
• General “The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.”
• General “After running five minutes, the engine failed.”
• General “I failed English last year.”
• General “The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.”
• General “The crops failed last year.”
• General “A sick man fails.”

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Origin

Origin information unavailable.