Word
failure
Phoneticsfail·ure, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfeɪɫjɝ/
UK/fˈeɪliə/
Definitions
01lack of success
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a situation where you do not reach a goal or get the result you wanted.
n. the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective; the opposite of success.
日本語:失敗※
“The project ended in failure because the team did not have enough time.”
“The company's latest product was a commercial failure, largely due to poor timing and a lack of market research.”
02a person or thing that fails
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone or something that is not successful.
n. an entity, person, or endeavour that has failed or is perceived as incapable of achieving success.
日本語:失敗※
“He felt like a failure after he didn't get into the university he wanted.”
“The critics dismissed the play as a total failure, though the lead actor's performance was widely praised.”
Synonyms
03mechanical or biological breakdown
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. when a machine, a system, or a part of the body stops working correctly.
n. the termination of the ability of an item or organ to perform its required function.
日本語:故障※
“The car stopped on the highway due to an engine failure.”
“The patient was rushed to the hospital suffering from acute heart failure after the marathon.”
Synonyms
04neglecting to do something
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. not doing something that you were expected or supposed to do.
n. the omission of an expected or required action, particularly a legal or professional obligation.
“His failure to pay the bill on time resulted in a late fee.”
“The board's failure to disclose the financial risks led to a series of lawsuits from angry shareholders.”
Usage
Often followed by an infinitive, as in 'failure to comply'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “failure” in context.
Verb
01. cause failure
“A lack of regular maintenance can cause engine failure over time.”
verb + noun
02. explain failure
“The CEO was asked to explain the failure of the company's latest marketing campaign.”
verb + noun
Noun
03. failure cause
“Investigators are still trying to identify the primary failure cause in the electrical grid.”
noun + noun
04. failure occur
“System failure occurred shortly after the new software update was installed.”
noun + verb
05. failure result
“The failure resulted from a series of unfortunate human errors.”
noun + verb
06. failure to comply
07. failure lead
Real-World Examples
“For some, these episodes point to clear security failures on the part of AI companies leading the charge on this game-changing, era-defining tech.” “The agency has not yet determined the root cause of the failure.” “The alternative is to settle for a country hamstrung by the costs of failure, where young people feel lost.” “Would that be a massive failure or would that be an incredible success?” he asked.” Etymology
From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir (“to fail”). Equivalent to fail + -ure.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/failure
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0