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a person regarded as unsuccessful, inadequate, or disappointing in life
What is the origin of the term "failure" and how is it used?
"Failure" comes from the Middle English failen, from Old French faillir, meaning to fall short or be lacking. By the 14th–15th centuries, it was used figuratively to describe people or efforts that did not succeed. In modern English, calling someone a "failure" emphasizes that they are unsuccessful, inadequate, or disappointing in life, often in a personal, professional, or social sense. The term is derogatory but mild compared with explicit insults; it appears in everyday speech, literature, and social commentary, usually as a critical judgment rather than a neutral description.
the absence of success in achieving a goal
an instance of not doing something, particularly something that is expected of one
a particular thing or person that is unsuccessful
an unexpected omission
loss of ability to function normally
inability to discharge all your debts as they come due
