fail

To not achieve what you wanted, or to not work as planned.

• Our plan failed.
• They failed to persuade him to stay.
• What will we do if this attempt fails?

How to use it: fail to do something (They failed to reach their goal.); fail in something (He failed in his attempt to cross the river.); fail at something (She failed at her first business venture.)

Similar words: be unsuccessful

Opposites: succeed

Common phrases: fail to win, fail at something, fail completely

To get a result below the standard needed to pass an exam or course.

• I failed the test.
• She failed maths but passed all her other subjects.
• What happens if you fail your driving test?

Similar words: flunk

Opposites: pass

Common phrases: fail an exam, fail a test, fail a course

Bad quality or work that has been done badly.

• The website is full of fail.
• That redesign is total fail.
• Readers complained about the fail throughout the project.

Similar words: rubbish, poor quality

Common phrases: full of fail, total fail