fail: meaning and words from its letters
4 letters · 7 letter points · starts with F · ends with L
Meaning of fail
verb
- intransitive
To be unsuccessful.
Example: Throughout my life, I have always failed.
- transitive
Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.)
Example: The truck failed to start.
- transitive
To neglect.
Example: The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.
- intransitive
Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly.
Example: After running five minutes, the engine failed.
Listed forms: fails, failing, failed, glossary, failest.
Source: Wiktionary — fail.
noun
- countable, uncountable
A failure, especially of a financial transaction (a termination of an action).
- countable, uncountable
A failing grade in an academic examination.
- US, countable, slang, uncountable
A failure (something incapable of success).
- slang, uncountable
Poor quality; substandard workmanship.
Example: The project was full of fail.
Listed forms: fails, faile, fayle.
Source: Wiktionary — fail.
adj
- US, slang
Unsuccessful; inadequate; unacceptable in some way.
Listed forms: faile, fayle.
Source: Wiktionary — fail.
Adapted from Wiktionary contributors via Kaikki.org. Selected senses and forms; quotations omitted. Definition text is CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms by meaning
Words are grouped by sense, so they are not necessarily interchangeable in every context. Search synonyms for fail.
verb
fail to do something; leave something undone
verb
be unsuccessful
- go wrong
- miscarry
verb
disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake
verb
stop operating or functioning
Open English WordNet Team, 2025, derived from Princeton University WordNet; selected synonym groups under CC BY 4.0. Source · OEWN notice · Princeton notice.
Is fail in our word lists?
| Word list | Status |
|---|---|
| American English | Found |
| British English | Found |
| Extended English | Found |
These are spelling-list matches, not official game validity checks. Check the rules and dictionary used by your game.
Letter-value score of fail
F(4) + A(1) + I(1) + L(1) = 7 points.
This is a sum of letter values without board bonuses or word multipliers. A blank tile is worth zero: subtract the value of each letter supplied by a blank. The score does not establish game validity. Full letter-value table.
Anagrams of fail
1 other standard-list word uses exactly these letters, including repeated letters.
Shorter words from fail
8 shorter standard-list words can be made using no letter more often than it occurs in fail. Showing up to 24, longest first.