failing
word · lemma: fail
/ˈfeɪɫɪŋ/
FAY-ling
/fˈeɪlɪŋ/
FAY-ling
Definition
A 'failing' is a lack of success or a weakness in someone’s character or performance. It can also mean a mistake, fault, or something that did not succeed.
Usage & Nuances
Usually formal or neutral as a noun. Common collocations: 'major failing', 'personal failing'. As an adjective, less common, means 'not successful'. Can describe character flaws ('a failing of honesty') or school/university grades ('a failing grade').
Spanish: fracaso - defectoPortuguese (BR): fracasso - falha - defeitoPortuguese (PT): fracasso - falha - defeitoChinese (Simplified): 失败 - 缺点Chinese (Traditional): 失敗 - 缺點Hindi: असफलता - कमीArabic: فشل - عيبBengali: দুর্বলতা - ব্যর্থতা - shortcoming (দোষ)Russian: недостаток - неудача - слабостьJapanese: 欠点 - 失敗Vietnamese: thiếu sót - thất bạiKorean: 결점 - 실패Turkish: eksiklik - başarısızlıkUrdu: کمزوری - ناکامیIndonesian: kelemahan - kegagalan
Example Sentences
His greatest failing is impatience.
basic
The project ended in failing.
basic
A common failing is forgetting people’s names.
basic
One major failing of the system is its slow response time.
natural
He blamed his failing grade on not studying enough.
natural
Despite his failings, everyone liked him.
natural