fall
fall Lexical Profile
fall Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of moving or dropping rapidly downward from a higher to a lower level, typically due to a loss of balance or support.
"The icy sidewalk caused several pedestrians to suffer a nasty fall."
North American The season of the year between summer and winter, lasting from September to November in the Northern Hemisphere, when temperatures cool and leaves drop from deciduous trees.
"The maple trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold every fall."
A decrease in size, amount, number, value, or intensity.
"Analysts predicted a sharp fall in housing prices over the next quarter."
A loss of power, status, prosperity, or moral integrity; the collapse or overthrow of a state, government, or regime.
"Historians have long debated the complex factors that led to the fall of the Roman Empire."
A cascade or cataract where water from a river or stream drops vertically over a steep rocky ledge or precipice (usually used in the plural).
"We could hear the thunderous roar of the falls long before we reached the canyon rim."
• verb
To move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.
"Ripe apples began to fall from the branches during the windstorm."
To lose one's balance and collapse to the ground.
"She tripped over the loose rug and fell onto her knees."
To decrease in number, amount, intensity, or quality.
"Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing overnight."
To pass into a specified state, condition, or situation.
"The entire audience fell silent as the conductor raised his baton."
To be captured, defeated, or overthrown (especially of a fortress, city, or government).
"After a prolonged siege, the ancient citadel finally fell to the invading army."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the intransitive verb 'fall' (past tense 'fell') with the transitive verb 'fell' (past tense 'felled', meaning to cut down or strike down).
• Rhymes for fall
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'feallan' (to drop from a height, fail, decay), from Proto-Germanic '*fallana', ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*pol-' (to fall). The sense of 'autumn' arose in the 16th century as a shortening of 'fall of the leaf'.