fail      /feɪl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[feyl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object)
1.   to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved: The experiment failed because of poor planning.
2.   to receive less than the passing grade or mark in an examination, class, or course of study: He failed in history.
3.   to be or become deficient or lacking; be insufficient or absent; fall short: Our supplies failed.
4.   to dwindle, pass, or die away: The flowers failed for lack of rain.
5.   to lose strength or vigor; become weak: His health failed after the operation.
6.   to become unable to meet or pay debts or business obligations; become insolvent or bankrupt.
7.   (of a building member, structure, machine part, etc.) to break, bend, crush, or be otherwise destroyed or made useless because of an excessive load.
8.   to stop functioning or operating: The electricity failed during the storm.
–verb (used with object)
9.   to be unsuccessful in the performance or completion of: He failed to do his duty.
10.   (of some expected or usual resource) to prove of no use or help to: His friends failed him. Words failed her.
11.   to receive less than a passing grade or mark in: He failed history.
12.   to declare (a person) unsuccessful in a test, course of study, etc.; give less than a passing grade to: The professor failed him in history.