Definition of fail

Scrabble & Words with friends points

• fail is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 7
• fail is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 7
• fail is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 8

Definition of fail

• disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake (verb)

  Examples

  1. His sense of smell failed him this time
  2. His strength finally failed him
  3. His children failed him in the crisis

  Synonyms

  1. betray
• be unsuccessful (verb)

  Examples

  1. Where do today's public schools fail?
  2. The attempt to rescue the hostages failed miserably

  Synonyms

  1. go wrong
  2. miscarry
• fail to do something; leave something undone (verb)

  Examples

  1. She failed to notice that her child was no longer in his crib
  2. The secretary failed to call the customer and the company lost the account

  Synonyms

  1. neglect
• stop operating or functioning (verb)

  Examples

  1. The engine failed on the way to town

  Synonyms

  1. break
  2. break down
  3. conk out
  4. die
  5. give out
  6. give way
  7. go
  8. go bad
• prove insufficient (verb)

  Examples

  1. The water supply for the town failed after a long drought

  Synonyms

  1. give out
  2. run out
• fail to get a passing grade (verb)

  Examples

  1. She studied hard but failed nevertheless
  2. Did I fail the test?

  Synonyms

  1. bomb
  2. flunk
  3. flush it
• fall short in what is expected (verb)

  Examples

  1. She failed in her obligations as a good daughter-in-law
  2. We must not fail his obligation to the victims of the Holocaust
• get worse (verb)
• judge unacceptable (verb)

  Examples

  1. The teacher failed six students
• be unable ()

  Examples

  1. I fail to understand your motives
• become bankrupt or insolvent; fail financially and close ()

  Examples

  1. A number of banks failed that year

See definition of fail in Merriam Webster