Fail | Mean of fail in English Dictionary

/ˈfeɪl/

• Verb
• to not succeed
1. He failed in his first attempt but succeeded in his second attempt.
2. The rebellion failed completely.
3. an experiment that failed = a failed experiment
4. a marriage that is failing = a failing marriage
5. The drought caused the crops to fail. [=the crops did not grow successfully because of the drought]
6. He only bothers to read the directions if/when all else fails. [=if/when everything else he has attempted has failed]
7. She failed to finish the race.
8. He failed to achieve all that he hoped to achieve.
• to not succeed as a business
1. His first company failed, but his second company succeeded.
2. The bank failed.
3. a failed bank
• to not do (something that you should do or are expected to do)
1. He failed to act on the advice of his staff. [=he should have acted on their advice but he didn't]
2. He failed to mention his new girlfriend when he spoke to his parents.

• to not do something
1. I turned on the switch but the light failed to go on.
2. It never fails to surprise me that people can be so gullible. [=I am always surprised that people can be so gullible]
3. Her public appearances rarely fail to attract huge crowds. [=her public appearances almost always attract huge crowds]
4. It never fails to rain [=it always rains] when I plan to take a day off.
5. I fail to see/understand [=I don't see/understand] why we need to change the current system. [=I don't think we need to change it]
6. It never fails: I plan to take a day off, and it rains. [=whenever I plan to take a day off, it rains]
• to not do or provide something that is needed by (someone)
1. He felt that he had failed her when she needed him most.
2. The government has failed the voters.
3. In the face of continued threats, his courage failed him. [=he lost courage, he became afraid]
4. He wanted to express his appreciation for all they had done, but words failed him. [=he did not know what to say]
• to be unsuccessful in passing (an examination, a course of study, etc.)
1. He failed the test/exam.
2. He failed chemistry.
3. He failed in chemistry.
4. Failing students must repeat the course.
• to decide that (someone) has not passed an examination or course of study
1. The teacher failed several students.
2. He received a failing grade/mark in chemistry. [=his teacher gave him a grade/mark that showed he failed chemistry]
• to stop working
1. The power failed.
2. The plane's engine failed, forcing an emergency landing.
3. His kidneys failed.
• to lose strength
1. Her health/eyesight is starting to fail.
2. Her children are concerned about her failing health/eyesight.