failing
failing Lexical Profile
failing Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Declining, weakening, or losing strength, health, or effectiveness.
"She moved closer to her parents to help care for them in their failing health."
Below the minimum standard required to pass an academic course, test, or inspection.
"The student worked with a tutor all semester to raise his failing grade in chemistry."
• noun
A weakness, flaw, or shortcoming in a person's character, behavior, or a system.
"Despite his minor failings as a manager, the team respected his honesty and dedication."
• preposition
In the absence or default of; if something is not possible or does not happen.
"We hope to resolve the dispute through mediation, or failing that, through formal arbitration."
• Rhymes for failing
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English verb 'failen', borrowed from Old French 'faillir', which comes from Vulgar Latin '*fallire' and classical Latin 'fallere', meaning to deceive, trip, or disappoint.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.