failed
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of failed
First recorded in 1650–60; fail ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
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.
Bass ultimately ousted Crowley, saying the chief failed to properly deploy firefighters amid warnings of dangerous Santa Ana winds.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026
England failed to confirm their spot in the last 32 of the World Cup with Tuesday's lacklustre 0-0 draw against Ghana, although they are still in a strong position to go through from Group L.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Plenty of technology parks attempting to capitalize on university know-how have failed over the years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026
The clearest evidence is that the cuts often failed to protect the very investors the Greenspan put supposedly insured.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
They were all failed attempts to impose western civilization on the merciless, untamable Arctic.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
