One syllable: fails.
/ˈfeɪlz/
Say it backFails is the third-person singular present tense of the verb fail, meaning to not succeed in a task or objective. In everyday use, it often conveys a concrete lapse or shortcoming, as in “the plan fails” or “he fails to meet the deadline.” The word can also function attributively or as a noun in some contexts, though verb usage is most common in contemporary speech. It carries a neutral to mildly negative tone depending on context.
"The plan fails when the key component malfunctions."
"She fails to consider all the possible risks."
"If the machine fails, we’ll switch to a backup system."
Pronounce as /feɪlz/. Start with the /f/ with flat lips, move into the /eɪ/ diphthong where your tongue glides from a mid-high position to a high position toward the vowel’s end, then end with /lz/ where the /l/ is light and the /z/ is a voiced, buzzing end. In quick speech, the /l/ and /z/ stay connected without a strong pause. IPA: /feɪlz/. Pay attention to the final /z/—don’t voice it as /s/; ensure a voiced zh-like end is present.
Two common errors: (1) Flattening the /eɪ/ diphthong to a pure /e/ vowel, making it sound like “feels.” (2) De-voicing or mispronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ in rapid speech. To correct: practice the /eɪ/ glide by starting at /e/ and smoothly moving to /ɪ/ (offering /feɪlz/), and ensure the vocal cords vibrate for the /z/ by gently placing the tongue near the alveolar ridge and voicing through the end of the syllable.
In US English, /feɪlz/ with a crisp, slightly tightened /l/ and a clearly voiced /z/. UK English is similar but might show subtly less rhotic resonance in connected speech with very light /z/. Australian accents are typically similar to US/UK but may simplify the /l/ in rapid speech and display a slightly broader vowel quality in the diphthong. Overall, core vowel is the same /eɪ/, but rhythm and voicing can shift very slightly with tempo and surrounding sounds.
The challenge lies in producing the diphthong /eɪ/ accurately then smoothly transitioning into the voiced alveolar fricative /z/. Many speakers also grapple with ensuring the final /z/ is fully voiced in casual connected speech, which can tempt a more sibilant or voiceless ending. Tip: hold your voice for the /z/ a beat longer, keep the tongue near the alveolar ridge, and finish with a tiny breath to avoid a clipped end.
Does the pronunciation of 'fails' include any silent letters? No. All letters contribute to the pronunciation: f (voiceless labiodental fricative), aɪ (in /eɪ/ as a diphthong), l (lateral approximant), s (historically a sibilant that yields /z/ in present tense). The important feature is the /eɪ/ glide preceding the /l/ and the following /z/ voiced end; ensure you do not drop the /z/ or turn it into a /s/ in careful speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "fails"!
Fail comes from the Old French fal, failed, from falir meaning to deceive or fail, which itself traces to Latin fallere meaning to err or deceive. The sense of ‘to be deficient’ evolved in Middle English from Germanic roots and was influenced by the notion of failure as a lapse, decay, or shortcoming in performance. By the 16th century, fail appeared in legal and financial contexts (failure to fulfill obligations) and expanded into general use: to not succeed in goals, to collapse, or to be defective. The modern sense as a verb meaning “not succeed” solidified in the early modern period and broadened in everyday vernacular to include phrases like “fails to meet expectations.” The noun and adjectival uses followed as the verb’s frequency increased in spoken English, with “fails” as the third-person singular present tense emerging as a natural inflection in contemporary grammar. Etymologically, the word’s core idea—deviation from a desired outcome—remains intact, but its application spans everything from technical failures in systems to personal missteps in performances and plans.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "fails" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "fails" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "fails" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "fails"
-ils sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
