failing

fail-ing · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) A weakness or fault, especially in character.

  2. 2.

    (verb) Present participle of "fail": not succeeding or declining.

  3. 3.

    (preposition) In the absence of; if not.

Forms

plural: failings

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    failing health — declining physical condition
  • •
    failing that — if that does not happen or is not possible

Related words

Antonyms: strength, virtue
See also: fail, failed, failure, weakness
Synonyms: fault, flaw, shortcoming, weakness

Etymology

From Old French faillir meaning "to fail, be lacking, miss," from Vulgar Latin fallire, from Latin fallere meaning "to deceive, disappoint."