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failure

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noun American English pronunciation: failure /ˈfeɪljər/ 
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singularfailure
pluralfailures
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Related dictionary definitions

 
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] a lack of success in doing something

    I'm too proud to admit failure.

    failure of:

    The failure of the talks has made the situation worse.

    end/result in failure:

    Their first attempt to climb Everest ended in failure.

    failure to do something:

    She is depressed by her continued failure to find a job.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] a situation in which you do not do something that someone expects you to do
    failure to do something:

    Failure to comply with the rules can result in expulsion.

    failure of:

    He was angry about the failure of the U.N. to intervene in the crisis.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure
  3. 3
    [countable] someone or something that has not achieved success

    The party was a total failure.

    I feel like such a failure.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure
  4. 4
    [countable/uncountable] a situation in which something such as a machine or an organ in your body stops working correctly
    engine/brake/power failure:

    The crash seems to have been caused by an engine failure.

    heart/liver/kidney failure:

    He died from liver failure.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure
    1. a.
      a situation in which a business cannot continue operating

      Business failures soared by more than a third in the second half of this year.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure
    2. b.
      a situation in which crops do not finish growing, so that they cannot be used for food
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of failure

This is the American English definition of failure. View British English definition of failure.

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View the pronunciation for failure.

 

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