befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl 

bē-

befell bi-ˈfel 

bē-

; befallen bi-ˈfȯ-lən 

bē-

intransitive verb

: to happen especially as if by fate

transitive verb

: to happen to

the fate that befell them

Synonyms of befall

• happen
• occur

Examples of befall in a Sentence

It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him.

The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a slickness to the carnage that rubs uncomfortably against the film’s humanist ethos, rendering artificial (for all Shen Teng’s trembling and mouth-contorting labors) the horrific tragedies that befall its characters. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Because since the Knicks won an NBA title, injuries have befallen Yankees star Aaron Judge and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

The song, written with Dan Wilson, isn’t just a story of the turmoil that befell the band post-2003. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Road rage will be more prevalent, both at home and far away, and mechanical breakdowns could also befall you at the worst possible times. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English befallen, going back to Old English befeallan (parallel to Old High German bifallan "to fall"), from be- be- + feallan "to fall entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for befall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale
• downfall

Kids Definition

befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl 

befell -ˈfel  ; befallen -ˈfȯ-lən  ; befalling

1

: to take place : happen

2

: to happen to