fail
fail
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fail" is /feɪl/.
fail: /feɪl/
Word Form Variations
Verb: fail (base form), fails (third person singular present), failed (past tense, past participle), failing (present participle)
Noun: fail (singular, uncommon in this form), fails (plural, uncommon), failure (singular), failures (plural)
Adjective: failed (as in "a failed attempt"), failing (as in "a failing grade")
Adverb: (No direct adverb form for "fail." Related adverbs would be formed from adjectives, e.g., "failingly" from "failing," though very rare.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Fail
To be unsuccessful in achieving an aim or objective. 📉
Synonyms: fall short, miss, flop (informal), founder, miscarry
Antonyms: succeed, achieve, pass, accomplish, triumph
To neglect to do something; to omit.
Synonyms: neglect, omit, forget, disregard, skip
Antonyms: remember, fulfill, perform, include
To disappoint or let down (someone).
Synonyms: disappoint, let down, dissatisfy, betray
Antonyms: satisfy, please, uphold, support
To cease to operate or function properly.
Synonyms: malfunction, break down, cease, stop, collapse
Antonyms: function, work, operate, thrive
Noun
Fail
(Informal) A failure; an instance of being unsuccessful.
Synonyms: blunder, mistake, flop (informal), disaster
Antonyms: success, triumph, win
Failure
The state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective or outcome.
Synonyms: downfall, fiasco, debacle, collapse, ruin
Antonyms: success, achievement, victory, accomplishment, triumph
Adjective
Failed
Having been unsuccessful; not having achieved an intended aim.
Synonyms: unsuccessful, aborted, thwarted, flunked (informal)
Antonyms: successful, accomplished, achieved, thriving
Failing
Declining in strength or health; becoming weaker.
Synonyms: deteriorating, weakening, declining, deteriorating
Antonyms: strengthening, improving, thriving
Examples of Use
Books
Self-help/Business: Many books discuss how to learn from failure. For example, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck explores why some people rebound from failure and others don't (Random House, February 2006).
Fiction: Characters often fail to achieve goals or overcome obstacles. A protagonist might "fail to prevent a disaster," or a relationship might "fail because of miscommunication."
Academic Texts: Engineering textbooks might analyze why certain structures "fail under stress."
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists frequently report on instances where something has failed. A headline might read, "New negotiations fail to reach a consensus" (Associated Press, July 2025). An economic report could highlight companies that "fail to adapt to market changes."
Editorials/Opinion Pieces: Columnists might argue that certain policies are destined to "fail" or that leaders have "failed their constituents."
Sports Sections: A sports report might mention a team that "failed to score a goal" or a player who "failed a drug test."
Online Publications
Tech Reviews: Gadget reviews often discuss if a product "fails to meet expectations" or if a new feature "fails to impress users." "The battery life fails to deliver on its promise."
Educational Websites: Online courses might have quizzes where students "fail to answer correctly." Programming tutorials often show common ways code can "fail."
Social Media: Viral content sometimes highlights humorous or spectacular "fails," such as a cooking attempt that "failed spectacularly" or a stunt that "failed to land."
Business Blogs: These might explore "why startups fail" or "common reasons projects fail."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Plotlines often involve characters who initially "fail" but eventually succeed. A spy might "fail to retrieve vital information," or a relationship might be shown to be "failing."
Video Games: Players experience "fail states" when their character dies or when they "fail a mission objective." The game might display "Mission Failed."
Podcasts: Hosts discussing real-life stories might recount how individuals or businesses "failed" before finding success.
Reality TV: Competition shows often feature contestants who "fail challenges" and are eliminated.
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily life, people often admit, "I failed to remember your birthday," or complain, "My old car keeps failing to start." "Don't fail to call me."
Workplace: Colleagues might discuss projects that "failed to meet deadlines" or equipment that has "failed."
Education: Students might say, "I'm worried I'll fail the exam." Teachers might note if a student "fails to hand in their assignment."
Legal/Official Language: Documents might refer to a party who "failed to comply with regulations."
10 Quotes Using Fail
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." (Thomas A. Edison)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." (Thomas A. Edison)
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it." (W. C. Fields)
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." (Robert F. Kennedy)
"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." (Beverly Sills)
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." (Michael Jordan)
"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you have failed by default." (J.K. Rowling)
"Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try." (Michael Jordan)
"If a person has failed to develop a personality, the very fact of his or her existence is a failure." (Erich Fromm)
Etymology
The word "fail" comes from the Old French word "faillir," which means "to be lacking," "to miss," or "to deceive." This, in turn, derived from the Latin "fallere," meaning "to deceive," "to disappoint," or "to cause to fall."
The first known use of "fail" in English, with the meaning of "to be insufficient or wanting; to fall short," dates back to the late 13th century. It appeared in texts to describe something not meeting expectations or falling short of a desired outcome.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fail
Fail miserably: To be completely unsuccessful. "Their attempt to launch the product failed miserably."
Fail to mention: To omit telling something. "He failed to mention the crucial detail."
Fail-safe: A system or plan that ensures safety or prevents a complete breakdown in the event of a malfunction. "The nuclear plant has a fail-safe mechanism."
Without fail: Always; reliably. "She arrives at work at 8 AM without fail."
Fail a test/exam: To not pass an assessment. "Many students failed the test because it was too difficult."
Fail in one's duty: To neglect one's responsibilities. "The guard failed in his duty to protect the perimeter."
To no avail/fail: Without success. "They tried to fix it, but to no avail." (Here "fail" is implied as the opposite of "avail," which means benefit or success).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fail from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
