failure

A person or thing that does not achieve what was hoped for.

• The new product was a failure.
• She felt like a failure after losing her job.
• One bad result does not make you a failure.

How to use it: a failure as someone/something (He felt he was a failure as a father.)

Similar words: flop

Opposites: success

Common phrases: a complete failure, feel a failure, failure as something

An attempt or activity that does not achieve its aim.

• The experiment ended in failure.
• The failure of the rescue plan shocked everyone.
• We learned from our earlier failures.

How to use it: end in failure (Their first attempt ended in failure.)

Similar words: failure to succeed, defeat

Opposites: success

Common phrases: end in failure, a costly failure, failure of something

A condition in which a body part cannot do enough of its work to keep someone alive.

• He was treated for heart failure.
• Kidney failure can require regular hospital treatment.
• The doctors were concerned about liver failure.

Common phrases: heart failure, kidney failure, organ failure

A situation in which a machine, system, or part stops working properly.

• Engine failure forced the plane to land.
• A power failure stopped the lifts.
• Regular checks help prevent equipment failures.

Similar words: breakdown, malfunction

Common phrases: engine failure, power failure, equipment failure