Words / B1

FAYL-y-uh/ˈfeɪljə/

Failure is a lack of success, or someone or something that does not succeed: power failure; heart failure; the plan was a failure. Success is the opposite. Fail is the verb: fail an exam; fail to + verb. A failure to + verb means not doing something required. Failure is uncountable for the general idea and countable for one unsuccessful thing.

Meaning

A lack of success, or a person or thing that does not succeed.

Examples

• “The project was a failure because of poor planning.”
• “The project ended in failure after six months.”
• “Engine failure forced the plane to turn back.”

Good to know

end in failure. power / heart failure. Verb: fail to. Opposite: success. Countable: a failure.

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