fail (A2)

verb

Pronunciation: /feɪl/

Definition

To not do something successfully.

Examples

• He failed to get the job he wanted.

• The experiment failed because of a mistake.

• She was afraid she would fail the exam.

How to Use fail

fail to (prepositional phrase)

Not do something that was expected or planned. — "They failed to arrive on time."

fail at (prepositional phrase)

Not be successful in a specific activity or task. — "He failed at his first attempt."

Synonyms of fail

Words with a similar meaning to fail:

• miss
• flunk
• founder
• bomb

Antonyms of fail

Words with the opposite meaning to fail:

• succeed
• pass

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