verb
Not succeed in doing or getting something you want or plan.
The plan failed.
She failed to reach her goal.
Common phrases & grammar
fail to meet a goal · fail completely · fail miserably
fail to + verb
fail at + noun/gerund
American English
How to pronounce fail
verb · nounB1Very common word
FAYL
/feɪl/
One syllable.
Not succeed in doing or getting something you want or plan.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
verb
Get a result below the level needed to pass a test, class, or exam.
I failed my math test.
He failed the driving test twice.
Common phrases & grammar
fail a test · fail an exam · fail a class
fail to pass + a test/exam
fail + a class/course
verb
Stop working correctly or stop working at all.
The air conditioner failed in July.
The brakes failed on the highway.
Common phrases & grammar
fail suddenly · fail completely · fail during a flight
machine/part + fail
machine/part + fail + during + an event
nouninformalless common
An unsuccessful attempt or a mistake that seems embarrassing or funny, especially online.
My first cake was a complete fail.
That video shows a funny fail.
Common phrases & grammar
epic fail · complete fail
Useful expressions
Every time; without exception.
She calls her mother every Sunday without fail.
Designed to become safe if something stops working or goes wrong.
The door has a fail-safe lock.