Definitions for the word "fail" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. v. i.
To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence; to cease to be furnished in the usual or expected manner, or to be altogether cut off from supply; to be lacking; as, streams fail; crops fail.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. v. i.
To be affected with want; to come short; to lack; to be deficient or unprovided; -- used with of.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. i.
To fall away; to become diminished; to decline; to decay; to sink.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. i.
To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources, etc.; to become weaker; as, a sick man fails.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. i.
To perish; to die; -- used of a person.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. v. i.
To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to be performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not to fulfill expectation.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. v. i.
To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired ; to be baffled or frusrated.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. v. i.
To err in judgment; to be mistaken.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. i.
To become unable to meet one's engagements; especially, to be unable to pay one's debts or discharge one's business obligation; to become bankrupt or insolvent.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. v. t.
To be wanting to ; to be insufficient for; to disappoint; to desert.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. v. t.
To miss of attaining; to lose.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. v. i.
Miscarriage; failure; deficiency; fault; -- mostly superseded by failure or failing, except in the phrase without fail.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. v. i.
Death; decease.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. v.
1 not succeed (failed to qualify). 2 be or judge to be unsuccessful in (an examination etc.). 3 be unable; neglect (failed to appear). 4 disappoint. 5 be absent or insufficient.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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Additional Info
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