failure

Everyday

1. Failure is not succeeding at something you tried to do. tree →
2. A failure is an attempt, plan or thing that did not work. tree →
3. A failure of a machine or body part is when it stops working, like a power failure. tree →
4. Failure to do something means not doing it when you should. tree →

In the lessons

In school and stories, failure is part of learning: scientists and inventors fail many times before they succeed. In everyday life a power failure means the lights go out. Phrases: «learn from failure», «end in failure», «a power failure», «failure to follow the rules».

Examples

• Every failure taught the inventor something new. tree →
• Our first rocket was a failure, but the second one flew. tree →
• Don't be afraid of failure; just try. tree →
• The lights went out because of a power failure. tree →
• The plan ended in failure. tree →
• Engine failure made the plane land early. tree →
• Failure to wear a helmet can be dangerous. tree →
• But the spider did not lose hope with the sixth failure. tree →

Note

Countable or uncountable. Verb: «fail». Calling a person «a failure» is unkind and untrue: one failed try does not make someone a failure. Science calls a failed test a result too; it tells you something.