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>

11

: strike, impinge <music falling on the ear>

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

: disintegrate

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

1. An apple fell from the tree.
2. A vase fell off the shelf.
3. Rain fell from the sky.
4. the sound of the falling rain
5. She slipped and fell on the ice.
6. He fell flat on his face.
7. She was afraid that I would trip and fall.
8. He fell down the stairs.
9. One of the sailors had fallen overboard.
10. 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

Synonyms: slip, stumble, topple, trip, tumble

Antonyms: get up, rise, stand (up), uprise

Related Words: collapse, crumple, drop, flump, keel, plop, plunk (or plonk), slump (over); crash, free-fall, nose-dive, plummet, plunge, precipitate, wipe out; skid, slide

Near Antonyms: buck, defy, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand; beat, overcome, win; conquer, prevail, triumph

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with FALL

all, awl, ball, bawl, brawl, call, caul, crawl, doll, drawl, gall, hall, haul, kraal, mall, maul, moll, pall, pawl, Saul, scall, scrawl, shawl, small, spall, sprawl, squall, stall, tall, thrall, trawl, wall, yawl