fail的名词和形容词分别为failure和failed。fail可作动词和名词，基本含义为“失败、未履行、不及格”；failure作为名词，含义为“失败的人、未履行应做之事”；failed作为形容词，含义为“失败的、不成功的”。
fail的中文含义及用法介绍
1、作为动词时，意为失败;未能(做到);未做;未履行(某事);不及格;评定不及格。
例句：I failed in my attempt to persuade her.
我未能说服她。
The song can't fail to be a hit.
这首歌不可能不流行起来。
He failed to keep the appointment.
他未履约。
The examiners failed over half the candidates.
主考人员评定，半数以上报考者不及格。
The brakes on my bike failed half way down the hill.
我骑自行车下山到中途刹车失灵了。
His last months in office were marred by failing health.
由于健康恶化，他最后几个月的公职工作受到了影响。
When he lost his job, he felt he had failed his family.
他失去工作以后，感到辜负了他的家庭。
The rains had failed and the rivers were dry.
雨量不足，河流干涸。
Several banks failed during the recession.
经济衰退期间有几家银行倒闭了。
2、作为名词时，意为(考试)不及格。其名词和形容词分别为failure和failed。
例句：I got three passes and one fail.
我考试三门及格，一门不及格。
The number of people who fail each year is now in single figures.
每年考试不及格的学生现在不足十人。
I lived in fear of failing my end-of-term exams.
我总是担心期末考试不及格。
Some college courses are graded in terms of either a pass or a fail.
有些大学课程按及格或不及格打分。
