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Fail: meaning, definitions and examples

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fail

 

[ feɪl ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

inability to succeed

Fail is the lack of success in achieving a goal or purpose. It is the opposite of success and can be a disappointing or frustrating experience. Failure can occur in various aspects of life, such as academics, work, relationships, and personal goals.

Synonyms

defeat, disappointment, fiasco, loss, setback

Examples of usage

  • I felt like a failure after not passing the exam.
  • She was afraid of failure, so she never took any risks.
  • Failure is just a stepping stone to success.
  • His repeated failures only motivated him to work harder.
  • Don't be afraid to fail, it's a part of the learning process.
Context #2 | Verb

to be unsuccessful

To fail means to be unsuccessful in achieving a goal or fulfilling a responsibility. It can involve not meeting expectations, falling short of a standard, or simply not succeeding in a particular task.

Synonyms

come up short, fall short, miss the mark, not succeed, unsuccessful

Examples of usage

  • She failed the test because she didn't study.
  • If you don't try, you'll never fail.
  • He failed to meet the deadline for the project.
  • Don't be discouraged if you fail the first time.
  • Failing is okay as long as you learn from it.

Translations

Translations of the word "fail" in other languages:

🇵🇹 falha

🇮🇳 असफलता

🇩🇪 Fehler

🇮🇩 kegagalan

🇺🇦 невдача

🇵🇱 niepowodzenie

🇯🇵 失敗 (しっぱい)

🇫🇷 échec

🇪🇸 falla

🇹🇷 başarısızlık

🇰🇷 실패

🇸🇦 فشل

🇨🇿 selhání

🇸🇰 zlyhanie

🇨🇳 失败 (shībài)

🇸🇮 neuspeh

🇮🇸 bilun

🇰🇿 сәтсіздік

🇬🇪 მარცხი

🇦🇿 uğursuzluq

🇲🇽 falla

Etymology

The word 'fail' originated from the Old French word 'faillir', meaning 'to be lacking or to fail'. It entered the English language in the 13th century. The concept of failure has been present throughout human history, with various interpretations and perceptions. Failure is often seen as a part of the learning process and can lead to personal growth and resilience.

See also: failing, failings, failure, failures.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,222, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.