⚠️ A weakness ❌ A not pass ❌ Not passing

failing

2.5

Not reaching the required standard for work or exams

adjective
/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/

: reprobado

After reviewing his report, the teacher unfortunately gave him a failing grade for not following the assignment guidelines.

So we live in a system where we have a failing dollar.

Examples

Her grades were so low that she received a failing mark in mathematics this semester.
The project's performance was deemed failing due to not meeting the expected quality standards.
American Association of Engineers gives it a failing mark every year.

Antonyms

successful

∞ 1.6

You have achieved what you wanted

passing

11 1.7

Success in meeting the needed level in a test

How Good

excellent

∞ 1.0

good

Informal

407 7.9

acceptable

477 2.5

borderline

62 5.3

failing

2.5

Surface Forms

failing positive

Morphology

failing = fail (transparent) = fail + ing

The adjective is a direct participial formation from the verb 'fail' using the productive suffix '-ing', so learners who know 'fail' can infer 'failing' means not meeting the standard.

Etymology

Failing comes from the old verb fail, which meant 'to be lacking' or 'not reach what is needed'. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine someone 'falling short' of a line or a required mark, so failing work or grades do not meet the standard.