How to pronounce “fail”

Meaning

• [Verb]
• (intransitive) To be unsuccessful.
• (transitive) Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
• (transitive) To neglect.
• (intransitive) Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
• (transitive) To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations.
• (ambitransitive) To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.
• (transitive) To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.
• (transitive, obsolete) To miss attaining; to lose.
• To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.
• (archaic) To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.
• (archaic) To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
• (archaic) To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.
• (obsolete) To perish; to die; used of a person.
• (obsolete) To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
• 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.
• [Noun]
• A failure, especially of a financial transaction (a termination of an action).
• A failing grade in an academic examination.
• (slang, US) A failure (something incapable of success).
• (uncountable, slang) Poor quality; substandard workmanship.
• [Adjective]
• (slang, US) Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.

Practice Nearby Words

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Similar Sounds

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