falloff

1 of 2

noun

fall·​off ˈfȯl-ˌȯf 

: a decline especially in quantity or quality

a falloff in exports

a falloff of light intensity

fall off

2 of 2

verb

fell off; fallen off; falling off; falls off

intransitive verb

1

: trend sense 2b

2

of a ship : to deviate to leeward of the point to which the bow was directed

Synonyms

Noun

• abatement
• decline
• decrease
• decrement
• dent
• depletion
• depression
• diminishment
• diminution
• drop
• drop-off
• fall
• loss
• reduction
• shrinkage
• step-down

Verb

• arc
• arch
• bend
• bow
• crook
• curve
• hook
• round
• sweep
• swerve
• trend
• wheel

Examples of falloff in a Sentence

Noun

the falloff in sales was more than the store could weather and so its closing was inevitable

Verb

the coastline falls off toward the north after you round the bay

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inflation in the 2020s resembled that of the immediate postwar period, when consumers were flush with cash — saved up during the war in the 1940s, and accumulated from stimulus payments and the falloff in spending on entertainment, travel and services during the pandemic. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

The falloff has resulted in significant loss in revenue for the industry. —Brad Adgate, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Verb

Four other members of the inaugural 1982 ranking made the list in 2024 but fell off at least once along the way. —Sarah Young, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024

Several spirits are said to linger within: the original owners, Mary and Frank Henderson, who built the home in 1895; a Spanish-American war veteran who was fond of the home; and a little girl who fell off a scaffolding and broke her neck. —Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1