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

Centering on the rise of the band and their peak fame in the 1990s, the documentary explores the emotional aftermath of their breakout album and the pitfalls of fame that followed. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

Instead, those potential pitfalls make Night Thoughts all the more thrilling and impressive. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

Technological fixes for medicine’s weaknesses carry similar possibilities and pitfalls. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025

Planning for good rest To combat the pitfall of poor rest cycles, science suggests planning for active rest and pleasant activities, and carrying through with those plans. —Stacy Shaw, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025

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