windfall

noun

wind·​fall ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl 

1

: something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage

Synonyms of windfall

• benefit
• blessing
• boon
• gift

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

They received a windfall because of the tax cuts.

hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, the windfalls are subject to taxes and withholdings, and stock options are vested on varying schedules. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Zaslav, to be fair, is not the only person associated with WBD to get a windfall. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

That year is expected to be the first under new national media contracts, which owners hope will bring in a windfall. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Burnham has refused to rule out tax hikes, and the British press is reporting that windfall taxes targeting banks might be on the table. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for windfall

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

Kids Definition

windfall

noun

wind·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: something (as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected gift, gain, or help