failing

failing — noun

1. a small but lasting problem in a person's character or in the way a system or pl

1.nounB2
Definition

a small but lasting problem in a person's character or in the way a system or plan works, which keeps it from being as good as it could be.

Example

Eri's greatest failing is that she tends to speak too quickly during team meetings.

failing + that-clause for a personal weakness

The budget proposal had one major failing — it included no backup plan for emergencies.

failing of a plan or proposal

Common collocations
  • greatest failing
  • major failing
  • personal failing
  • human failing
  • failing in
Synonyms
  • weakness

    broader term; can describe both character traits and structural vulnerabilities

  • flaw

    suggests an inherent defect in design or character that undermines integrity

  • shortcoming

    implies failure to meet a desired standard, especially in performance

  • defect

    more technical and serious; suggests a measurable failure in function

Antonyms
  • strength

    a positive trait or ability

  • virtue

    a morally good quality in someone's character

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] failing

failing in [noun]

Usage Note

Commonly describes personal character traits rather than physical defects, though it can also apply to systems and plans. Less strong than 'fault' and often suggests a relatively forgivable shortcoming.

Common Mistakes

His biggest failure is that he cannot delegate tasks.
His biggest failing is that he cannot delegate tasks.
'Failure' refers to an unsuccessful event or person; 'failing' refers to a personal weakness or shortcoming.

failing — preposition

failing — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Failing, weakness, flaw, shortcoming, and defect all describe imperfections, but differ in scope and register. Failing (B2) most often refers to a personal character trait that prevents someone from being fully effective — for example, 'a tendency to procrastinate is a common human failing.' Weakness (B2) is broader, covering both character traits ('a weakness for chocolate') and structural vulnerabilities ('the weakness of the argument'). Flaw (B2) suggests an inherent defect in design or character that undermines integrity, like 'a flaw in the diamond' or 'a character flaw.' Shortcoming (B2) implies a failure to meet a desired standard, often in performance or ability ('the team's shortcomings on defence'). Defect (B1) is more technical and serious, suggesting a measurable failure in function, such as 'a factory defect in the brakes.' For everyday speech about personal traits, 'failing' and 'weakness' are most natural, but 'failing' carries a slightly more formal, self-reflective tone.

failing ↗weakness ↗flaw ↗shortcoming ↗defect ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • failing that
  • failing which

Prepositions

  • failing in

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Failing comes from the verb 'fail', which entered English from Old French 'faillir' (to lack, miss, or disappoint), tracing further back to Latin 'fallere' (to deceive, elude, or be wanting). The noun form emerged in the 1600s to describe a personal shortcoming, while the prepositional use ('failing that') developed in the 1700s as a fixed construction. The adjective sense describing something in decline became common in the 1800s.