fall
1fall
verb \ˈfȯl\fell\ˈfel\fall·en\ˈfȯ-lən\fall·ing
Definition of FALL
intransitive verb
1
a : to descend freely by the force of gravity b : to hang freely <her hair falls over her shoulders> c : to drop oneself to a lower position <fell to his knees> d : to come or go as if by falling <darkness falls early in the winter>
2
: to become born —usually used of lambs
3
a : to become lower in degree or level <the temperature fell 10°> b : to drop in pitch or volume <their voices fell to a whisper> c : issue 1a, b <wisdom that fell from his lips> d : to become lowered <her eyes fell>
4
a : to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily <slipped and fell on the ice> b : to enter as if unawares : stumble, stray <fell into error> c : to drop down wounded or dead; especially : to die in battle d : to suffer military capture <after a long siege the city fell> e : to lose office <the party fell from power> f : to suffer ruin, defeat, or failure <the deal fell through>
5
: to commit an immoral act; especially : to lose one's chastity
6
a : to move or extend in a downward direction <the land falls away to the east> b : subside, abate <the wind is falling> c : to decline in quality, activity, or quantity <production fell off> d : to lose weight —used with off or away e : to assume a look of shame, disappointment, or dejection <his face fell> f : to decline in financial value or price <stocks fell sharply>
7
a : to occur at a certain time <her birthday falls on a Monday this year> b : to come by chance <a job that fell into his hands> c : to come or pass by lot, assignment, or inheritance : devolve <it fell to him to break the news> d : to have a certain or proper position, place, or station <the accent falls on the second syllable>
8
: to come within the limits, scope, or jurisdiction of something <this word falls into the class of verbs>
9
: to pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind or a new state or condition <fall asleep> <fall in love>
10
: to set about heartily or actively <fell to work>
transitive verb
: fell 1
— fall all over oneself or fall over oneself or fall over backward
: to display great or excessive eagerness
— fall apart
1
2
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress : break down
— fall behind
1
: to lag behind
2
: to be in arrears
— fall between two stools
: to fail because of inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action
— fall flat
: to produce no response or result <the joke fell flat>
— fall for
1
: to fall in love with
2
: to become a victim of <fell for the trick>
— fall from grace
: backslide 1
— fall home
: to curve inward —used of the timbers or upper parts of a ship's side
— fall into line
: to comply with a certain course of action
— fall on or fall upon
: to meet with <fell on hard times>
— fall on one's face
: to fail utterly <the movie fell on its face at the box office>
— fall on one's sword
: to sacrifice one's pride or position
— fall short
1
: to be deficient
2
: to fail to attain something (as a goal or target)
Examples of FALL
- An apple fell from the tree.
- A vase fell off the shelf.
- Rain fell from the sky.
- the sound of the falling rain
- She slipped and fell on the ice.
- He fell flat on his face.
- She was afraid that I would trip and fall.
- He fell down the stairs.
- One of the sailors had fallen overboard.
- He fell back onto the bed.
Origin of FALL
Middle English, from Old English feallan; akin to Old High German fallan to fall and perhaps to Lithuanian pulti
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to FALL
Rhymes with FALL
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