Meaning & use
failed
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“failed” is a form of “fail”.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
That did not succeed or achieve what was intended.
Grammar: Used before a noun to describe an attempt, plan, or person that did not succeed.
Patterns
- a failed attempt
- a failed business
- a failed exam
After three failed attempts, she finally passed her driving test.
The company sold its failed product line last year.
He felt like a failed writer until his first novel was published.
adjectivebefore a noun
Having broken down or stopped working properly.
Grammar: Used before a noun for machines, systems, or body parts that no longer work.
Patterns
- a failed engine
- a failed kidney
- failed brakes
The mechanic replaced the failed pump.
She is waiting for a kidney transplant because of a failed kidney.
The pilot landed safely despite a failed engine.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Past tense and past participle of fail: did not succeed, or did not do something required.
Grammar: This is the past form of the verb fail; it can take an object (failed the test) or stand alone (the plan failed).
Patterns
- failed to do something
- failed the exam
- failed in something
He failed his math exam twice.
The team failed to score in the second half.
She failed in her first attempt but kept trying.
Word forms
| base form | fail |
|---|---|
| third person singular | fails |
| present participle | failing |
| past tense | failed |
| past participle | failed |
Common combinations
- a failed attempt
- His failed attempt to climb the mountain taught him a lot.
- a failed business
- They lost their savings in a failed business.
- failed to do something
- The report failed to mention the real cause of the problem.
- a failed exam
- A failed exam does not mean you are not smart.
- a failed state
- The country was described as a failed state by international observers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unsuccessful
- Similar meaning, but unsuccessful is more neutral and common in formal writing; failed often suggests a clear, final lack of success.
- abortive
- More formal and literary; it describes an attempt that was stopped before completion, while failed simply means it did not succeed.
- defeated
- Used mainly for people or teams that lost a contest, not for plans or machines.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: failed or fail? failed or fell?
failed vs fail
Fail is the base form (I fail, they fail); failed is the past tense or past participle (I failed, I have failed).
failed vs fell
Fell is the past tense of fall (to drop down); failed is the past tense of fail (to not succeed).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'failed' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Fail' takes a direct object without a preposition: fail an exam. 'Failed to' is used before a verb (failed to pass), not before a noun like 'exam'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “failed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.