Definition of FAILURE

failure

Meanings

Plural: failures

Noun

  • an act that fails
    • "his failure to pass the test"
  • an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose
    • "the surprise party was a complete failure"
  • lack of success
    • "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"
    • "that year there was a crop failure"
  • a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
  • an unexpected omission
    • "he resented my failure to return his call"
    • "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes"
  • inability to discharge all your debts as they come due
    • "fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks"
  • loss of ability to function normally
    • "kidney failure"
  • State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.
  • State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.
  • A condition in which a specified organ does not function well enough to support life.
  • Omission to do something, whether or not it was attempted, especially something that ought to have been done.
  • An object, person or endeavour in a state of failure, has failed at something or incapable of success.
  • Termination of the ability of an item to perform its required function; breakdown.
  • Bankruptcy.

Origin / Etymology

From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir (“to fail”).

Synonyms

bankruptcy, fail, loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person

Antonyms

achiever, success, triumph

Scrabble Score: 10

failure is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
failure is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
failure is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

failure is a valid Words With Friends word