# failure

/ˈfeɪɫjɝ/ (US) · /fˈeɪliə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/failure
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. lack of success

noun · CEFR B1

a situation where you do not reach a goal or get the result you wanted.

For teachers: the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective; the opposite of success.

- 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.

### 2. a person or thing that fails

noun · CEFR B2

someone or something that is not successful.

For teachers: an entity, person, or endeavour that has failed or is perceived as incapable of achieving success.

- 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.

### 3. mechanical or biological breakdown

noun · CEFR B2

when a machine, a system, or a part of the body stops working correctly.

For teachers: the termination of the ability of an item or organ to perform its required function.

- 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.

### 4. neglecting to do something

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

not doing something that you were expected or supposed to do.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The experiment ended in failure because the equipment broke.
- Despite their best efforts to save the company, the launch of the new product was a total failure.
- The structural failure of the bridge was attributed to a combination of extreme weather conditions and a long-term lack of maintenance by the local authorities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.