Cool MateMeaning of Fail
In simple words: To not succeed in doing something.
Fail in a sentence
- I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam.
- Even though he tried hard, he did fail to finish the project on time.
- If you fail to attend the meeting, you will miss important information.
- It's okay to fail sometimes; it helps you learn.
- The engine could fail at any moment due to lack of maintenance.
How to use Fail
Use 'fail' in neutral contexts such as reports or everyday conversations. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. For failure in a job or exam, it's often directed towards the action not the person.
Grammar pattern
fail + to + verb
Memory hint
Think of 'fail' as 'fall', imagine falling short of a goal.
Related words
Collocations with Fail
- dismally
- miserably
- spectacularly
- cannot
- can hardly
- be bound to
- in
- try and fail
- completely
- totally
Synonyms for Fail
- flunk
- miserate
- come up short
- botch
- misfire
Common mistakes with Fail
- Confused with 'fail' and 'fail at' - remember 'fail' can stand alone.
- 'Failed' used incorrectly in progressive tenses - it’s typically past tense.
- Overusing 'fail' in positive contexts where a softer word like 'struggle' might be better.
Fail appears in
Fail in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
يفشل
عدم النجاح في القيام بشيء.
- Bengaliবাংলা
ব্যর্থ হওয়া, ফেইল করা
কোনো কিছু করতে সফল না হওয়া।
- GermanDeutsch
Scheitern, Versagen, Durchfallen
Etwas nicht schaffen.
- SpanishEspañol
Fallar
No tener éxito en hacer algo.
- Persianفارسی
شکست خوردن، ناموفق بودن
اینکه در انجام کاری موفق نشوی.
- FrenchFrançais
Échouer, Foirer
Ne pas réussir à faire quelque chose.
- Hindiहिन्दी
असफल होना
किसी काम में सफल न होना।
- ItalianItaliano
Fallire, Non riuscire
Non avere successo in qualcosa.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Falhar, Não conseguir
Não conseguir fazer algo.
- RussianРусский
Провалиться, не справиться, потерпеть неудачу
Не суметь что-то сделать.
- Urduاردو
ناکام ہونا، ناکام رہنا
کسی کام میں کامیاب نہ ہونا۔
- Chinese中文
失败
没有成功做成某事。
More words like Fail
- AbandonB2
To leave someone or something and never return to them.
- AbilityA2
the fact that somebody/something is able to do something
- AbleA2
having the skill, intelligence, opportunity, etc. needed to do something
- AbroadA2
In or to a country that is not one's own.
- AbsoluteB2
total and complete
- AbsolutelyB1
used to emphasize that something is completely true
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Frequently asked questions about Fail
What does Fail mean?
To not succeed in doing something.
What is the definition of Fail?
to not be successful in achieving something
How do you use Fail in a sentence?
I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam.
Can you give another example of Fail?
Even though he tried hard, he did fail to finish the project on time.
What are synonyms for Fail?
Common alternatives include flunk, miserate, come up short, botch, misfire.
What is the opposite of Fail?
Opposite meanings include succeed, prevail, triumph.
What words go with Fail?
It commonly pairs with dismally, miserably, spectacularly, cannot, can hardly, be bound to, in, try and fail, completely, totally.
What are common mistakes when using Fail?
Confused with 'fail' and 'fail at' - remember 'fail' can stand alone. 'Failed' used incorrectly in progressive tenses - it’s typically past tense. Overusing 'fail' in positive contexts where a softer word like 'struggle' might be better.
How do you pronounce Fail?
US: /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use Fail?
Use 'fail' in neutral contexts such as reports or everyday conversations. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. For failure in a job or exam, it's often directed towards the action not the person.
What CEFR level is Fail?
"Fail" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.