Fail meaning in English
Learn how to use Fail correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.
TEST YOUR ENGLISH
Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 8 million learners worldwide
Definition
to fail: to not succeed; to forget to do, to neglect to do something
Note the most common constructions of the verb "to fail": "to fail + object (I failed my math test)"; "to fail + to + infinitive verb (He failed to warn me about the hurricane)"; 'to fail + in/at + ING verb (I failed in negotiating the contract).
I failed my exams miserably. My score was only 12%.
He failed to convince me. He tried to convince me but didn't succeed.
She failed in resolving the problem. She tried to resolve it but couldn't.
to fail someone: to disappoint someone, to not do what was promised to or required for someone
a failure: a defeat, a loss, a lack of success
Kalvin Krime's latest perfume is a major failure. It isn't a success at all.
Examples
- "Fail in this mission, and my wrath will be swift and brutal."
- "The column rounds up the week's winners and losers and contrasts their successes and failures."
- "If the matter is not resolved within four business days, I may commence legal proceedings to recover the debt, without further notice to you, and this letter may be tendered in court as evidence of your failure to attempt settlement."
- "Ira : If this company publicly predicts earnings, no matter how big or small, and the company fails to earn that money, then its stock suffers."
- "Anyone who fails to turn up will be forced to work with Horatio for a month."
- "The Serious Fraud office has been called in, and, although they haven't officially announced their findings yet, the Sunday Roast has THE scoop: it appears that Leeson had been netting huge losses on unauthorised deals, and falsifying information to cover up his failures."
- "Brian : I demand recompense... Take a new companion... Fail in this mission, and my wrath will be swift and brutal... Aaah!"
- "He listed these for me, but I failed to note them down."
- "Something about a missing driver or a network failure."
- "Failed ladies' man with a troubled childhood"
- "Definition: a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another."
- "Do you want to go through life floating aimlessly from one failed relationship to another?"
- "Tried to do this. Failed."
- "You failed my Star Wars quiz."
- "The crops have failed, the cows are as skinny as a supermodel, and I'm starving."
- "I was a no-good cowboy with a failed department store and a ton of debt."
- "Bethany : ...and this letter may be tendered in court as evidence of your failure to attempt settlement."
Still unsure of the best way to use 'Fail'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment
Absolutely free - no strings attached.
