fail

verb

• 1be unsuccessful in achieving one’s goal:he failed in his attempt to secure election [with infinitive]:they failed to be ranked in the top ten
• [with object] be unsuccessful in (an examination or interview):she failed her finals
• [with object] (of a person or a commodity) be unable to meet the standards set by (a test of quality or eligibility):a player has failed a drugs test
• [with object] judge (a candidate in an examination or test) not to have passed: the criteria used to pass or fail the candidate

• 2neglect to do something: [with infinitive]:the firm failed to give adequate risk warnings
• [with infinitive] behave in a way contrary to expectations by not doing something:commuter chaos has again failed to materialize
• [with object] desert or let down (someone):at the last moment her nerve failed her

• 3cease to work properly; break down:a lorry whose brakes had failed
• become weaker or of poorer quality:the light began to fail (as adjective failing)his failing health
• (of rain or a crop or supply) be insufficient when needed or expected: the drought means crops have failed
• (of a business or a person) cease trading because of lack of funds: he lost his savings when the store failed

noun

• 1a mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test: [as modifier]:a fail grade

• 2 informal a mistake, failure, or instance of poor performance:their customer service is a massive fail [mass noun]:his first product demo was full of fail