Fail

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.1.1 Translations 1.2 Noun 1.3 Derived terms

English

Verb

to fail (third-person singular simple present fails, present participle failing, simple past failed, past participle failed)

1. ((transitive{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}))

: To not achieve a particular goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive. The engine failed to start.)

1. ((transitive{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}))

: To be negligent in one's duty. (The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.)

1. ((intransitive{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}))

: To be unsuccessful in academic pursuits. (I failed in English last year.)

1. ((intransitive{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}))

, of a machine, etc.: To cease to operate correctly. (After running five minutes, the engine failed.)

Translations

• Danish: ikke kunne (1); ikke have (2); dumpe (3); standse (4)
• Dutch: falen (3)
• German: scheitern (3)
• Russian: провалить (3)

Noun

fail

1. a failure, especially of a financial transaction
2. a failing grade in an academic examination

Derived terms

• failure
• fail-safe

fr:fail io:fail it:fail hu:fail fi:fail zh:fail