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

• be
• betide
• chance
• come
• come about
• come down
• come off
• cook
• do
• go down [slang]
• go on
• hap
• happen
• occur
• pass
• transpire

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

Plenty of fans on social media pointed out the blessing that seems to have befallen the team this week ahead of the announcement of the new pope. —Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025

Something similar looks set to befall Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party. —Drew Nelles, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

How a Mom's Horrifying Scheme to Poison Husband and Kids Was Revealed — Thanks to Her Pastor Even more darkness befell the family the following June, when Diane’s daughter Sarah, then 24, was admitted to the hospital with flu-like symptoms that doctors diagnosed as organ failure. —Kc Baker, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Meaning, what fate befell each that precluded them from not even meriting mention in Rogue One? —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025

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