Cool MateFailure
UK /["/ˈfeɪljə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈfeɪljər/"]/
Definition
lack of success in doing or achieving something
In simple words: not succeeding in something
Examples
- His failure to meet the deadline cost the company a valuable contract.
- Experiencing failure can often lead to personal growth and resilience.
- The project was deemed a failure due to lack of planning and resources.
- Her failure to recognize the warning signs was a serious mistake.
- He faced failure in business, but he learned valuable lessons from it.
- Technical failure during the presentation led to a reassessment of the equipment.
- They introduced a backup plan to cope with any potential system failure.
- Failure in the exam prompted her to study harder for next time.
Usage notes
Use 'failure' to describe a lack of success in a specific endeavor. Avoid in very formal documents unless necessary. In casual conversations, 'failure' can sound heavy; people may prefer 'not succeeding.'
Grammar pattern
failure + to + verb
Memory hint
Think of 'fail-ure' as 'failing for sure'; remember it's about not achieving something.
Collocations
- complete
- total
- abject
- be doomed to
- end in
- result in
- rate
- fear of failure
- a history of failure
- a possibility of failure
- big
- great
- serious
- be
- represent
- prove
- arise from something
- failure of
- fundamental
- general
- manifest
- excuse
- justify
- constitute
- mechanical
- structural
- technical
- cause
- lead to
- result in
- occur
- failure in
- mechanical
- structural
- technical
- cause
- lead to
- result in
- occur
- failure in
- mechanical
- structural
- technical
- cause
- lead to
- result in
- occur
- failure in
Synonyms
- collapse
- setback
- defeat
- flop
- blunder
Antonyms
- success
- achievement
- victory
Common mistakes
- Using 'failure' as a verb instead of a noun.
- Confusing 'failure' with 'fault,' thinking they mean the same.
- Not using appropriate prepositions, such as saying 'failure of' instead of 'failure to.'