2 syllables: fail, ures. Stress on fail.
/ˈfeɪljɚz/
Say it backFailures refers to the plural of failure, meaning instances or results that do not meet a desired standard or goal. It can describe multiple unsuccessful outcomes, or a set of shortcomings tied to a process, plan, or person. In context, it often implies learnings or consequences arising from error, rather than a single event.
"The project produced several failures, but the team used the data to improve the next iteration."
"His past failures motivated him to redesign the system from the ground up."
"The audit revealed failures in security controls across multiple departments."
Say FA-IL-yers: primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US: ˈfeɪ.ljɚz; UK: ˈfeɪ.ljəz. Start with /feɪ/ as in ‘face’, glide into /l/; the second syllable /lj/ is a light consonant blend, then end with /ɚ/ (US) or /ə/ (UK). Consonant cluster ɹ in US is pronounced as rhotic (sound like ‘yerz’), while UK tends to a non-rhotic vowel before an /z/ or /s/ sound. Practice by isolating the tongue pulse between /l/ and /j/ and rounding lips slightly for /ɪ/ → /j/ transition.
Two frequent errors are merging 'il' into a single quick sound and misplacing the /j/ after /l/. Some learners also devoice the final /z/ or mispronounce the final /ɚ/ vs /ə/. Correction: keep a distinct /l/ by placing the tongue blade at the alveolar ridge and release into a light /j/ for the /lj/ sequence; ensure the final /z/ is voiced, with the lips slightly spread. Practice slowly focusing on the /l/ + /j/ timing before the /z/ at the end.
US tends to a pronounced rhotic ending with /ɚ/ in rapid speech: ˈfeɪ.ljɚz. UK often reduces the final vowel to /ə/ or /ɪə/ and the rhotics are less pronounced: ˈfeɪ.ljəz. Australian vowels can be similar to UK but with a slightly broader /æ/ or /eɪ/ and a softer /l/; the /ɹ/ may be realized as an approximant depending on the speaker. In all cases, the /lj/ cluster remains central; the main differences lie in rhoticity and vowel quality.
The difficulty lies in the /lj/ consonant cluster between the vowel and the /z/. Keeping the /l/ light and ensuring a smooth transition into the palatal approximant /j/ requires precise tongue control. Additionally, the final /z/ must be voiced and clear, contrasting with potential devoicing of the end in some accents. Managing vowel quality in /eɪ/ that precedes /l/ without breaking the sequence into two unrelated syllables is key.
Think of the first syllable as FAH with /eɪ/ transitioning into a light /l/ and then a quick /j/ before the final /z/. Visualize the mouth shaping: start with a wide smile for /eɪ/, flatten the tongue for /l/, then raise the middle of the tongue toward the palate for /j/ before finishing with a vibey /z/. Emphasize keeping the /z/ voiced and avoid letting the final vowel drop into a weak schwa.
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The word failure comes from the Old French feiaur, later Middle English failen, from the Latin fallere meaning 'to deceive, fail, or disappoint.' The English sense of deficiency or collapse emerged in the 14th century, evolving to denote lack of success or non-fulfillment. By the 16th–17th centuries, ‘failure’ carried forensic and financial implications—e.g., failure of debt payment or a ship to reach its destination. The plural form failures developed naturally as English grammar shifted to mark multiplicity, retaining the core sense of not meeting an intended standard. Etymology reflects the broader semantic arc from missing or deceiving to non-attainment, with modern uses spanning technology failures, systemic failures, and personal failures in growth contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "failures" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "failures" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "failures"
-ers sounds
-ils sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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