fail

About 24.80 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To be unsuccessful.

   Throughout my life, I have always failed.

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. verb To neglect.

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

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

   After running five minutes, the engine failed.

5. verb To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.

   I've failed my parents many times growing up.

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

   I failed English last year.

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. verb To miss attaining; to lose.

Similar words

flunk miscarry neglect go wrong die break down betray conk out break give way

Often followed by

to in of and because the at or him

Word family

failed failing failingly fails