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verb · A2 · often · UK/US

fail

fail

Meaning of fail

fail exam

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A2often

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Pronunciation
British English/feɪl/
American English/tu ˈfeɪl/
Russian transcription[prəvɐˈlʲitʲ]
fail
fail - провалить
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fail with Russian translation

fail usage examples

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Если не учиться, можно провалить экзамен.

If you don't study, you may fail the exam.

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Он боялся, что провалит тест по математике.

He was worried he would fail his maths test.

Learn by topic

fail belongs to the topic "Subjects". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

failпровалить
childребёнок
studentстудент
examэкзамен
homeworkдомашняя работа
gradeоценка
onlineонлайн

fail synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between fail / flunk / not pass / bomb / do badly / underperform

🇬🇧English
fail

Neutral core meaning: to not succeed or to not achieve a goal or requirement.

A2Very Often

He failed the exam.

Он провалил экзамен.

F
🇬🇧English
flunk

Informal: specifically to fail an exam or course; more casual than 'fail'.

A2Rarely

She flunked her chemistry test.

Она завалила тест по химии.

N
🇬🇧English
not pass

Neutral phrase used to say someone did not succeed in a test or exam.

A2Often

He did not pass the driving test.

Он не сдал экзамен по вождению.

🇬🇧English

Informal: to fail badly or disastrously, often used for performances, shows, or attempts.

B1Often

The new play bombed on opening night.

Новая пьеса провалилась с треском в первый вечер.

D
🇬🇧English
do badly

Neutral: to perform poorly; does not always mean complete failure, can be partial or weak performance.

A2Often

He did badly on the exam.

Он плохо сдал экзамен.

U
🇬🇧English
underperform

More formal: to perform below expectations or below a set standard, often relative to peers or forecasts.

B2Rarely

The team underperformed this season compared to last year.

Команда выступила хуже в этом сезоне по сравнению с прошлым годом.

F
🇬🇧English
fall short

Neutral/idiomatic: to fail to reach an expected amount, level, or standard.

B1Often

The project fell short of its fundraising goal.

Проект не достиг своей цели по сбору средств.

F
🇬🇧English
flop

Informal: to fail, especially publicly, often used about shows, films, products, or performances.

B1Often

The movie flopped at the box office.

Фильм провалился в прокате.

🇬🇧English

Informal: to make a mistake or cause something to fail through errors; emphasizes error-making.

A2Often

I really messed up the presentation.

Я действительно напортачил с презентацией.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for fail

How to pronounce fail and what this word means

fail translation: провалить. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce fail

/feɪl/

fail translation

провалить

fail examples

If you don't study, you may fail the exam.

fail transcription

/feɪl/, /tu ˈfeɪl/

How this dictionary entry is reviewed

ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.

Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

fail meaning: what does it mean?

fail exam

fail pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

fail is pronounced as /feɪl/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

fail definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

If you don't study, you may fail the exam. Translation: Если не учиться, можно провалить экзамен.

Is fail part of Subjects vocabulary?

Yes, fail (провалить) can be learned in the Subjects topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is fail part of Study and Work vocabulary?

Yes, fail (провалить) can be learned in the Study and Work topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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