failing

Pluralfailings

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of fail. Use this form for an action happening now or as the name of the action.

   His eyesight is failing as he gets older.

   Failing the exam made her work harder next time.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A weak point or fault in a person or thing.

   Like a small crack in a wall that is otherwise strong.

   Forgetting names is one of my biggest failings.

   His only failing is that he talks too much.

   Similarshortcoming, weakness, flaw, fault

   Oppositestrength, virtue, merit, forte

   Note
3. 3
   preposition

   Used to say what will happen if something else is not possible.

   Like a backup choice: if the first thing cannot happen, you use this.

   Failing a ride from a friend, we can take the bus.

   We hoped for sunshine, but failing that, we packed umbrellas.

   Similarwithout, absent

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