fail

  • verb 1 be unsuccessful in an undertaking. 2 be unable to meet the standards set by (a test). 3 judge (a candidate in an examination or test) not to have passed. 4 neglect to do. 5 disappoint expectations: chaos has failed to materialize. 6 stop working properly. 7 become weaker or less good. 8 go out of business. 9 desert or let down.

  • noun a mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test.

  — PHRASES without fail whatever happens.

  — ORIGIN Old French faillir, from Latin fallere ‘deceive’.

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