- present participle of fail.
failing
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of failing; failure.
His failing is due to general incompetence.
-
a defect or fault; shortcoming; weakness.
His lack of knowledge is a grave failing.
preposition
noun
preposition
Synonym Usage
See fault.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of failing
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; see origin at fail, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was also Messi's second missed penalty of the tournament after failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage.
From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026
In a separate case in New Mexico, a jury found Meta liable for failing to protect young people from online dangers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026
This was the blaring red alarm bell—an extremely common, extremely human failing.
From Slate • Jul. 10, 2026
As part of the same investigation, the EU accused Meta in April of failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, thereby potentially exposing them to inappropriate content.
From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026
In this system of control, failing to cope well with one’s exile status is treated like a crime.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
