FAILURE - Definition & Meaning for Kids

Simple definitions and word synonyms for kids.

Part of speech: Noun

an act that fails

Example: his failure to pass the test

Categories: Nonaccomplishment, Nonachievement

Part of speech: Noun

an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose

Example: the surprise party was a complete failure

Categories: Happening, Occurrence, Occurrent, Natural event

Part of speech: Noun

lack of success

Example: he felt that his entire life had been a failure; that year there was a crop failure

Categories: Fortune, Destiny, Fate, Luck, Lot, Circumstances, Portion

Part of speech: Noun

a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently

Categories: Unfortunate, Unfortunate person

Part of speech: Noun

an unexpected omission

Example: he resented my failure to return his call; the mechanic's failure to check the brakes

Categories: Omission, Skip

Part of speech: Noun

loss of ability to function normally

Example: kidney failure

Categories: Disorder, Upset

The word "failure" comes from Old French faillir, which comes from Anglo-Norman failer.

French culinary terms dominate English cooking vocabulary because of Norman influence.