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
Related Words
See fault.
Other Word Forms
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.
—Gold prices fell below $4,500 a troy ounce in early European trading, failing to hold gains achieved earlier this week as renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran worry traders.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
We can’t make the mistake of failing to cultivate the virtue of human intelligence: Invest in our youth, not machines.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
The total number of people arrested in connection with the attack stands at eight, including a 30-year-old man who has since been charged with failing to disclose information relating to terrorist activity.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Franco was arrested Jan. 1, 2024, after failing to appear before Dominican authorities who sought to interview him.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
Jo couldn’t even lose her heart in a decorous manner, but sternly tried to quench her feelings, and failing to do so, led a somewhat agitated life.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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.
