English Dictionary

fail

/feɪl/

verb

(intransitive) To be unsuccessful. / (transitive) Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.) / (transitive) To neglect.

I hope I don't fail the exam.

意味（1）

(intransitive) To be unsuccessful.

Throughout my life, I have always failed.

意味（2）

(transitive) Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)

The truck failed to start.

意味（3）

(transitive) To neglect.

The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.

意味（4）

(intransitive) Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.

After running five minutes, the engine failed.

意味（5）

(transitive) To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one’s expectations.

There shall not fail thee a man on the throne.

意味（6）

(transitive, intransitive) To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits.

I failed English last year.

意味（7）

(transitive) To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour.

The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.

意味（8）

(transitive, obsolete) To miss attaining; to lose.

though that seat of earthly bliss be failed

意味（9）

To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence.

The crops failed last year.

意味（10）

(archaic) To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; used with of.

If ever they fail of beauty, this failure is not to be attributed to their size.

意味（11）

(archaic) To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.

When earnestly they seek / Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail.

意味（12）

(archaic) To deteriorate in respect to vigour, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker.

A sick man fails.

意味（13）

(obsolete) To perish; to die; used of a person.

had the king in his last sickness failed

意味（14）

(obsolete) To err in judgment; to be mistaken.

Which ofttimes may succeed, so as perhaps / Shall grieve him, if I fail not.

意味（15）

To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.