Dictionary definition · fail
verb
- fail to do something; leave something undone"She failed to notice that her child was no longer in his crib"
- be unsuccessful"Where do today's public schools fail?"
- disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake"His sense of smell failed him this time"
- stop operating or functioning"The engine finally went"
- be unable"I fail to understand your motives"
- judge unacceptable"The teacher failed six students"
- fail to get a passing grade"She studied hard but failed nevertheless"
- fall short in what is expected"She failed in her obligations as a good daughter-in-law"
- become bankrupt or insolvent; fail financially and close"The toy company went bankrupt after the competition hired cheap Mexican labor"
- prove insufficient"The water supply for the town failed after a long drought"
- deteriorate"Her health is declining"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).