fall into

verb

fell into; fallen into; falling into; falls into
1
: to go down quickly into (something)
She fell into the swimming pool.
2
: to pass to (a less active or less desirable state or condition)
This word has fallen into disuse.
His theories have now fallen into disrepute/disfavor.
The machinery has fallen into disrepair.
3
: to belong in (a particular category or range)
His creative output falls into three distinct categories.
4
: to be caught in (a trap)
We fell into a trap.
5
: to begin to do or experience (something) or to be affected by (something) without wanting or trying to
He fell deeply into debt.
She fell into her career almost accidentally.
She fell into the habit of going out for ice cream every night.

Examples of fall into in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Often the Bulls fell into a flat-footed stance in the half-court offense, looking around as if waiting for an instruction that never came. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 As the tiny village fell into disrepair and the locals forgot about the gas-station man and his quirky hobby, stories of hauntings and spooky auras became commonplace. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 With clear skies tonight, temperatures will fall into the lower to middle 40s. — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 On the way back, a vehicle in the convoy veered off the road and fell into a ravine. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall into

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20into. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster