failing Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a flaw or weak point
   weakness.
   
   • he was quick to point out his wife's failings
2. noun failure to reach a minimum required performance
   flunk.
   
   • his failing the course led to his disqualification
   • he got two flunks on his report
3. verb fail to do something; leave something undone
   fail; neglect.
   
   • She failed to notice that her child was no longer in his crib
   • The secretary failed to call the customer and the company lost the account
4. verb be unsuccessful
   fail; miscarry; go wrong.
   
   • Where do today's public schools fail?
   • The attempt to rescue the hostages failed miserably
5. verb disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake
   fail; betray.
   
   • His sense of smell failed him this time
   • His strength finally failed him
   • His children failed him in the crisis
6. verb stop operating or functioning
   die; give out; give way; break; go; go bad; conk out; fail; break down.
   
   • The engine finally went
   • The car died on the road
   • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
   • The coffee maker broke
   • The engine failed on the way to town
   • her eyesight went after the accident
7. verb be unable
   fail.
   
   • I fail to understand your motives
8. verb judge unacceptable
   fail.
   
   • The teacher failed six students
9. verb fail to get a passing grade
   fail; flush it; bomb; flunk.
   
   • She studied hard but failed nevertheless
   • Did I fail the test?
10. verb fall short in what is expected
    fail.
    
    • She failed in her obligations as a good daughter-in-law
    • We must not fail his obligation to the victims of the Holocaust
11. verb become bankrupt or insolvent; fail financially and close
    fail.
    
    • The toy company went bankrupt after the competition hired cheap Mexican labor
    • A number of banks failed that year
12. verb prove insufficient
    fail; run out; give out.
    
    • The water supply for the town failed after a long drought
13. verb get worse
    fail.
    
    • Her health is declining
14. adjective satellite below acceptable in performance
    
    • received failing grades

WordNet