pitfall

noun

pit·​fall ˈpit-ˌfȯl 

1

: trap entry 1, snare

specifically : a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or people

2

: a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty

Synonyms of pitfall

• risk
• hitch
• snag

Examples of pitfall in a Sentence

buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary

one of the pitfalls of ignorance is that people will also assume you're stupid

Recent Examples on the Web

The Importance of Trust While such alternative off-market business acquisition marketplaces certainly have their fair share of potential benefits, their use also comes with potential pitfalls. — William Jones, USA Today, 20 July 2026

However, the article warns against potential pitfalls, drawing parallels to Southwest's seating issues. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Nick and Charlie have been at the center of the show’s love story, going through the heights and pitfalls of young love over three seasons. — Barry Levitt, Time, 17 July 2026

The bulk of the show, though, deals with the pitfalls of technology, modern consumer culture, and the modern media landscape, certainly realms more than familiar to science fiction. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pitfall

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

Kids Definition

pitfall

noun

pit·​fall ˈpit-ˌfȯl 

1

: trap entry 1 sense 1, snare

especially : a covered or camouflaged pit used to capture animals or people

2

: a danger or difficulty that is hidden or is not easily recognized