falling-out

noun

fall·​ing-out ˌfȯ-liŋ-ˈau̇t 

plural fallings-out or falling-outs

: an instance of falling out : quarrel

had a falling-out with his parents

Synonyms of falling-out

• altercation
• quarrel
• dispute
• disagreement
• controversy
• fight
• bicker
• argument
• misunderstanding

Examples of falling-out in a Sentence

the two friends have been lonely and miserable since they had a falling-out

Recent Examples on the Web

Whenever a romantic comedy reaches the central couple’s big falling-out, my wife shoots me a look. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Jones and Richards had a falling-out over actress and model Anita Pallenberg, who was Jones’s girlfriend before Richards moved in on her. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Noticeably absent was his eldest son Brooklyn, who earlier this year posted on social media about having a falling-out with his family. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 12 June 2026

Pop is pure feeling, and U chronicles falling-outs, friendzonings, and other emotional events that are small in the grand scheme of life but still excruciating. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for falling-out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

falling-out

noun

fall·​ing-out

ˌfȯ-liŋ-ˈau̇t

plural fallings-out or falling-outs

: quarrel entry 1 sense 2

had a falling-out with his parents